Sixth Annual International Research Conference: Ageing and Care in a Contemporary Global Society

The Centre for Ageing Studies (CFAS) organized the sixth installment of its annual research conference on 10^th and 11^th November 2022. This conference was held virtually from 9:00 am each day, on the theme, Ageing and Care in a Contemporary Global Society. Specifically, the conference sought to provide relevant insight on the following sub-theme: (a) resilience and gerontological social work; (b) long-term care and social inclusion of older persons; (c) ageing, work, economics, and modernity; (d) ageing, mental health, rights, and religion; (e) ageing research, pandemics, and death; (f) ageing and dementia;, (g) caregiving and changing family systems; (h) functional capacities, sexual behaviors, and healthy ageing; and (i) disability, technology and decision making among older persons.

The first day of the programme was moderated by Dr. Emmanuel Codjoe of the Department of Economics, University of Ghana. He invited the Director of CFAS, Prof Dako-Gyeke to deliver a welcome message. In her remarks, Prof. Dako-Gyeke welcomed all persons present and encouraged them to dully participate in all the activities of the event. In his statements, the Chairperson of the conference, Prof. Daniel Frimpong Ofori, Provost, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, commended CFAS for organizing the research conference, and also highlighted the relevance of focusing on the year’s theme. Furthermore, the Chief Director at the Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection, Dr. Afisah Zakariah, delivered a solidarity message which indicated efforts being made by the state to advance the wellbeing of older persons in Ghana. The Founding Director of CFAS also delivered some remarks that emphasized on the health of older persons.

The keynote speaker of the conference was Rev. Prof. Akye Essuman, and his speech was titled Ageing and Wellbeing. In his presentation, he emphasized on the essence of healthy ageing, as well as how all and sundry could be instrumental in creating a safe haven for older persons in society. Following Rev. Prof. Akye Essuman’s address, a panel discussion was held on the topic, Caring for the Psychosocial Health of Older Persons in Urban Spaces with Urban Complexities. This session was facilitated by Prof. Angela Ofori-Atta, Department of Psychiatry, University of Ghana Medical School (UGMS), Dr. Esi Ansah, Association of Ghana’s Elders & Ashesi University, Mr. Ralph Sutherland of Sutherland and Sutherland, and Mr. Benjy Hornsby Odoi, Ministry of Finance. After the panel discussion, four sessions that encompassed the presentation of various research ensued.

Day two of the research conference started with a presentation by Dr. Daniel Doh, School of Social Sciences - Liverpool Campus, Western Sydney University, Australia, on the topic Migration, Culture, and Conceptions of Social Interaction and Active Aging. This was followed by another presentation dubbed, Ageism as Barrier to Good Care of the Elderly in the 21st century, by Rev. Dr. Samuel Ayete-Nyampong Trinity Theological Seminary, Accra, Ghana. The aforementioned presentations provided vital information regarding how social connectedness and active aging could be promoted among older persons, and how ageism detriments the wellbeing of older persons, respectively. Five sessions that entailed the presentation of various studies also followed afterwards.

In her concluding remarks, the Director of CFAS asserted that there is the need for a collaborative effort among all stakeholder to ensure that older persons are assisted to address their ageing and care needs. She also expressed her gratitude to the keynote speaker, the chairperson, moderators, presenters, participants, and the organizing committee for their massive contributions to the success of the conference.