Micael Boateng, Sunyani
4 July 2008
The Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr. Ignatius Baffour Awuah, has urged the youth to take inspiration from the older generation, and make meaningful contributions to national development.
He advised the young generation, not to think of immediate rewards, for what they are doing for the nation, but rather concentrate on assisting in the socio-economic development of their communities, and the nation as a whole.
Mr. Baffour Awuah was addressing, over 300 senior citizens in the Brong-Ahafo Region, during the Annual Republic Day Get-together for senior citizens, organized by the Regional Coordinating Council, in Sunyani.
He commended the senior citizens for their contributing to national development over the years, and asked them to impart their skills and experiences to the youth, to enable them continue from where they have reached.
Mr. Baffour Awuah encouraged the youth to study well, to enable them take over from the old generation, adding that it was only through proper education, that the youth can impact positively on society.
He announced that one of the illustrious sons of the region, Professor K. A. Busia, Prime Minister of the Second Republic, would be honoured by the region, for his immense contribution to national development, on July 11, this year.
The Regional Minister, therefore, asked the youth to take delight in hard work, which comes along with everlasting rewards.
Mr. Baffour Awuah noted that any nation that did not honour its senior citizens was not a nation worth dying for, and commended the senior citizens for sacrificing for the nation.
He urged them to continue to offer suggestions, and advice to the younger generation, to enable them excel.
Mr. Ben Amoako, a former Senior Technician of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, said senior citizens had contributed immensely to the development of the country, and therefore need to be given proper care upon retirement.
He raised concerns about pension entitlements, saying the entitlement given to pensioners was not uniform, therefore, government should do something about it.
Mr. Amoako continued that the money given as pension entitlement was too small to even cater for their childrens school fees, thereby making life very difficult for them upon retirement.
He, however, advised workers not to think about money and promotion alone, when they are at work, but be devoted and patriotic in their hearts, to help move the country forward.
A 77 year old Mid-wife at Chiraa, Madam Rosebard Gaisie, recommended that the National Health Insurance (NHIS) should be absolutely free, for people above 70 years, to help reduce the financial burdens of such people.
She called on government to institute an affordable housing scheme for the aged, saying that would contribute to the fight against brain-drain in the country, because most people traveled abroad to acquire enough money for such facilities.
Madam Gaisie bemoaned the dress code among the youth of today, which she appealed to authorities to have a second look at.
She noted that the amazing thing about those who dress indecently, was that they were all religiously active, but the religious leaders, in one way or the other, have failed to educate them against such acts.
The mid-wife called on school authorities, PTAs and the Ghana Education Service, to institute a dress code for students, so that even after school, they would adopt a decent way of dressing.
She appealed for peace before, during and after this year's election, anticipating that when there is chaos, the youth would have the strength to flee, but the aged would suffer.
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