Peki-Dzogbati (V/R), April 6, GNA – Madam Nana Akosua Brobbey, Geriatric Expert and Co-founder, Sisters Keepers Association, has hinted that the Association is making frantic efforts to establish an aged social centre at Peki-Dzogbati.
Sisters Keepers Association is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), which advocates for the rights and welfare of the elderly, creating awareness about Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, which mostly affected older people.
She said an aged social centre was very essential to enable them to meet occasionally to engage in some social and recreational activities to entertain themselves, build networks and make constructive use of the leisure time to enhance their well-being.
Madam Brobbey was speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) during an Easter feast organised for 98 aged and disables at Peki-Dzogbati in the South Dayi District of the Volta region.
It was an initiative of Mr Churchill Oforikumah, the Assembly member for Peki-Dzogbati Electoral Area with sponsorship from Sisters Keepers Association, Mr Ernest Patrick Mallet, District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area and some individuals.
The Co-founder said the older people “still have some relevance” therefore, they must be accorded with the needed care, love and respect, saying the golden age was not a curse but rather a blessing.
Madam Brobbey said the elderly had done their best in contributing to socio-economic progress of the country, therefore, all and sundry must be concerned about their well-being and fight for their rights and welfare.
“Let’s stop branding our older people as witches and wizards, we are tired of it. Let’s educate ourselves, because of the Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease that affect them they behave in a certain manner.
Then we wrongly accused them of being witches and wizards and sometimes killed them. Let’s stop this myth, the lives of the elderly matter, she stated.
Madam Irene Akoto, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Association called for drastic measures to address the situation in the country, making sure the disrespect and disdain the elderly were being treated with was discontinued.
In the outside world, the elderly are treated with lots of love, care and respect but the story is different in this part of our world, which is not good, she said, urging the country to do more in promoting the dignity of the senior citizens.
Madam Akoto said the Association would establish similar centres in other communities and appealed to government, benevolent organisations, philanthropists, corporate organisations and individuals for support.
The Association presented some items including nose masks, hand sanitizers, bathing soap, liquid soap, toothpaste and handkerchiefs to the participants to enable them to continue to observe the safety protocols.
Mr Churchill Oforikumah, the Assembly member told GNA the aged and the disables played key roles in the progressive match of the area and that the feast was to activate smiles on their faces.
He expressed his profound gratitude to Sisters Keepers Association, the DCE and all who in diverse ways supported the event and made it successful.
Madam Emma Adom, the District Director of Social Welfare and Community Development advised the people to take matters relating to their health seriously and go for regular check-ups.
Togbe Agamala VI, Dufia of Peki-Dzogbati, disclosed that this was the first time the community had witnessed this kind of event for the elderly and commended the assembly member for the initiative.
The participants could not hide their joy as the expressed their gratitude to the Assemblyman, Sisters Keepers Association and the DCE for being concerned about their plight and making efforts to help them.
They were treated to good music, some local and foreign food and drinks.
GNA
