President John Dramani Mahama has pledged to increase pensions for retirees as Ghana’s economy improves, assuring senior citizens that they will benefit from the country’s economic recovery.
Speaking at the annual State Luncheon for Senior Citizens in Accra, the President said older Ghanaians who dedicated their lives to the nation’s development deserve greater financial security and improved living conditions.
According to him, the government’s efforts to restore economic growth are intended to benefit both the active workforce and retired public servants.
“We are invested in growing the economy and I pledge to our senior citizens that as the economy improves, we will improve not only wages and salaries for the active working population but also improve pensions for those who have sacrificed tirelessly for our dear nation Ghana,” he said.
President Mahama stressed that caring for older persons is a shared national responsibility that goes beyond the role of government.
He called on families, communities, faith-based organisations, and all Ghanaians to continue supporting and honouring senior citizens for their contributions to national development.
“But government alone cannot achieve this. Families, communities, faith organizations and every Ghanaian have a responsibility to cherish and care for our elderly. We must never allow those who once cared for us to feel that they are forgotten,” he stated.
The President also encouraged senior citizens to enrol in the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly known as MahamaCares, to help finance the treatment of non-communicable diseases, which disproportionately affect older people.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening healthcare and social protection systems to ensure that senior citizens can live with dignity and access quality healthcare.
The annual State Luncheon for Senior Citizens honours the contributions of older Ghanaians to national development while providing a platform for government to engage them on issues affecting their welfare.
