CFAS and Partners Celebrate United Nations International Day of Older Persons
The Centre for Ageing Studies (CFAS) celebrated the International Day of Older Persons on Monday 2nd October, 2023 at the Great Hall, University of Ghana, Legon. The theme for this year’s celebration was Fulfiling the Promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for Older Persons: Across Generations
Prince Mark Company Limited mainly sponsored this event with other sponsors being the National Lottery Authority (NLA) Ghana Health Service, and Samuel Amo Tobbin Foundation.
Other agencies and individuals who supported the organization of this event included Gully Hill Pond, Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth, Entrance Pharmaceuticals, Dashen Opticals, Korle-Bu Eye Clinic, Pantang Hospital, University of Ghana Hospital Physiotherapy Unit, etc. This event was attended by over 700 persons, with approximately more than half of them being older persons.
Dr. Akosua Agyemang, Dr Vyda Mamley Hervie and Dr. Johnny Andoh-Arthur, moderators of the event, opened the event by welcoming all present and introducing them to the activities of the day. Rev. Dr. Samuel Ayete-Nyampong was invited afterwards to deliver an opening prayer before the official commencement of the programme.
Opening prayer by Rev. Dr. Samuel Ayete-Nyampong.
In his welcome address, the Director of the Centre for Ageing Studies, Prof. Joseph Osafo expressed his gratitude to the audience for attending the programme and encouraged them to recognize and appreciate older persons for the immense contributions they have made towards the development of society. He also emphasized the vital importance of fulfilling the promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for older persons, across generations and that older persons have played a pivotal role in shaping our societies, economies, and cultures thus we owe them the same respect, dignity, and rights that we expect for ourselves.
The Director of the Centre for Ageing Studies, Prof. Joseph Osafo giving his welcome address.
The Special Guest of Honour for this event was Prof. Gordon Awandare (Pro Vice-Chancellor, ASA, University of Ghana). In his remarks, he mentioned that to uphold the promises of this year’s theme, we must reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are upheld for older individuals across the globe.
He also emphasized that it has become imperative in the contemporary era to devote time to ensure that the fundamental principles of equality, dignity, and respect should extend to every individual, regardless of their age, and that different generations play essential roles in realizing these promises of the day’s theme.
Prof. Gordon Awandare (Pro Vice-Chancellor, ASA, University of Ghana) giving his remarks.
He then commended The Centre for Ageing Studies for working tirelessly to provide resources for healthy ageing, conduct cutting-edge research, provide training in ageing studies, public engagement, raise awareness, and advocate for policies that promote the dignity and rights of our senior citizens.
Prof. Mavis Dako-Gyeke, Dean of the School of Social Sciences and the immediate past Director of the Centre for Ageing Studies addressed the audience afterwards. The Founding Director of CFAS, Prof. Charles Mate-Kole also addressed the audience after which he announced that the Centre had launched its maiden journal, African Journal of Ageing Studies.
The Founding Director of CFAS, Prof. Charles Mate-Kole addressing the audience.
Afterwards, there were some solidarity messages from our main sponsor, Prince Mark Company Limited as well as the other sponsors like Ghana Health Service, World Health Organisation and Samuel Amo Tobbin Foundation. Prof Matilda Steiner-Asiedu from the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Ghana gave a presentation on Ageing and Nutrition where she spoke about the types of foods that are suitable for the elderly and how it is important to ensure that the elderly are paying particular attention to what they eat in their old age. Following her presentation, two older persons were given the opportunity to share their experiences as they have aged over a period.
After the insightful presentation on Ageing and Nutrition by Prof Matilda Steiner-Asiedu, Mr. Daniel Opoku, from the University of Ghana Hospital, a physiotherapist, conducted a session focusing on physical health and mobility for the elderly. He emphasized the importance of regular exercise and proper body mechanics to maintain strength and flexibility as one ages. The participants were engaged in various exercises and stretches to improve their balance and coordination, helping them lead a healthier and more active lifestyle in their old age.
Following this was the dance and fitness session with Ms Dede Gjanmaki Akornor-Tetteh and Mr. David Essilfie-Quaye, who led the group through a series of fun and energetic routines. The participants enjoyed the lively music as they danced and worked out together. They then enjoyed lunch, health screening, counseling, an interaction session, and a musical interlude by the band, which contributed to the celebratory atmosphere and made it a genuinely unforgettable event for everyone involved.