REPORT ON THE 7TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH CONFERENCE
The Centre for Ageing Studies (CFAS) organized the 7th of its annual research conference on 9th and 10th November 2023. This conference was held virtually from 9:00 am each day, on the theme, Ageing in A Changing Society: Post Covid-19 Pandemics. Specifically, the conference sought to provide relevant insight on the following sub-themes:
a. Ageing, Sustainable and Inclusive Development
b. Ageing, Uncertainties: Policy Research and Evidence-based Responses
c. Healthy Ageing
d. Care of Older Persons: The role of the Youth
e. The Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Older Adults.
The first day of the programme was moderated by Dr. Collins Badu Agyemang of the Department of Psychology, University of Ghana. He invited Prof Joseph Osafo, the acting director of the Centre for ageing studies to deliver a welcome address. In his remarks, he welcomed all members and senior members present and encouraged them to fully participate in all the activities of the event. In his statements, he introduced this year’s conference, themed; Ageing in A Changing Society: Post Covid-19 Pandemics. He gave a brief overview of what would be discussed and its relevant topics.
Dr. Delali Dovie then introduced the Chairperson of the conference, who was in the person of Prof. Daniel Frimpong Ofori, Provost, College of Humanities and Social Sciences. He commended CFAS for organizing the research conference and highlighted the relevance of focusing on the year’s theme.
Prof. Daniel Frimpong Ofori, Provost, College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Chairperson for the Conference giving his remarks.
Furthermore, Prof. C. Charles Mate-Kole, Founding Director, Center for Ageing Studies who was the special guest speaker for the conference, gave his remarks on the topic: State of aging in Ghana: Bridge over troubled waters or progress? He presented on the Ageing trends in Ghana, Benefits of ageing in Ghana; he stated that Ghanaians cultural values play a major role in the lives of older adults, Emerging trends, Health challenges, Socio-Economic and cultural challenges.
Special guest speaker, Prof. C. Charles Mate-Kole, Founding Director, Center for Ageing Studies presenting on: State of aging in Ghana: Bridge over troubled waters or progress?
The keynote speaker of the conference was Prof. Adonte Anum, Head of department of Psychology, University of Ghana. His speech was on the aftereffects of the post covid-19 pandemic. In his presentation, he emphasized four changes that accompany an ageing population. First was the quality-of-life changes such as social, economic, psychological, and physical changes. Secondly, health problems associated with aging. Also, social challenges such as poverty, unemployment among others. Lastly, economic challenges. He stated that one of the most pressing challenges of the elderly is economic burden. According to Prof. Adonte, as the population of older people increases, so do their demands for pensions, healthcare, and other social services. He also mentioned that these demands can place a strain on government budgets which then leads to a cut in other essential services.
Following Rev. Prof. Adonte Anum’s speech, a panel discussion was held on the topic, The Power of Intergenerational Caregiving for the Elderly & COVID-19 Pandemic related Experiences. This session was facilitated by Dr. Esi Ansah, Association of Ghana’s Elders, Mr. Alex Sackey-Addo, Madam Amelia Ferguson Adjeipon-Yamoah, a retired librarian and blogger and Dr. Lina Sappor.
Panelists discussing the topic, The Power of Intergenerational Caregiving for the Elderly & COVID-19 Pandemic related Experiences.
Ageing, Sustainable and Inclusive Development
After the panel discussion, four sessions that encompassed the presentation of various research ensued. These presentations were in two sessions; session one was on Ageing, Sustainable and Inclusive Development, moderated by Dr. Isaac Boafo, Department of Sociology, University of Ghana. There were four (4) presentations on this sub theme. The first presentation was on the topic Men as Silent Caregivers: Experiences of Men as Caregivers of the Elderly in Accra, presented by Regina Antwi. The next to present was Dr. Emelia Awude on the topic, Mapping of Older Adult Care Facilities in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. This was followed by Dr. Afriyie Kwabena Sarpong who presented on, The Experiences of Unpaid Informal Caregivers of the Frail Elderly in the Tain District of the Bono Region of Ghana. The last person to present on this session was Dr. Emelia Naa Densua Dodoo. Her topic was on the Experiences of the Elderly in Residential Care Facilities in Ghana: Case of Mercy Home Care Center.
Session two (2) was on the sub-theme, Ageing Uncertainties: Policy Research and Evidence-Based Responses. This session was facilitated by Dr. Mabel Oti-Boadi, Department of Psychology, University of Ghana. The first to present was Dr. Abibata Bavug. She presented on the topic Challenges and Coping Mechanisms of the Elderly in Nsawam-Adoagyiri Municipality. This was followed by a presentation by Dr. Elaine Jurkowski (USA) on the topic Policies for an Aging and Ability Impaired Society: Policy and Program Planning for Older Adults and People with Disabilities, Realities and Visions.
Ms. Elaine Jurkowski(USA) presenting on the topic; Policies for an Aging and Ability Impaired Society: Policy and Program Planning for Older Adults and People with Disabilities, Realities and Visions.
Dr. Paul Issahaku (Canada) was the last to present under the second session and he presented on the topic; How Older Adults in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Reflect on their Experiences of the COVID-19 Pandemic and its Impact on their Lives.
DAY 2
The second day of the 7Th annual international research conference was on the 10th of November 2023. The programme moderator was Dr. Johnny Andoh Arthur from the department of Psychology. It started with a presentation from Dr. Haruna Zagoon-Sayed, Department of Religions, University of Ghana, on the topic Ageing & Religion: Islamic perspective.
The topics for discussion for day two were.
- Healthy Ageing
- Care of the older persons: The role of the youth and the effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on older adults.
- The Effects of Covid-19 Pandemic on Older Adults
Healthy Ageing
The first session was moderated by Dr. Sylvia Gyan, Department of Sociology, University of Ghana. Ms. Mabel Oti-Boadi presented on Internalized Stigma: Social Support, Coping, Psychological Distress, and Mental well-being among older adults in Ghana. The next to present was Mr. Jason Arthur Otibu on the topic, Prevalence and Predictors of Hypertension in Older Adults in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. He emphasized non-communicable diseases and their effects on individuals over an extensive period. Ms. Barbara Serwaah Gyapong also presented on Development and Stabilization of a Drinkable Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food for the Aged. The last presentation for this session was on the topic Knowledge and Self-Regulation of Adult Patients Living with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on Self-Care Practices, presented by Ms. Nonna C. Amakye-Nyame. She ended her presentation by suggesting ways to improve diabetes control and prevent complications such as increasing knowledge on healthy ageing and giving the aged, focused support.
Care of the older persons: The role of the youth and the effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on older adults
The second session was moderated by Dr Vyda Mamley Hervie, Department of Social Work/ Centre for Ageing Studies.
Ashley Theodore (U.S.A) was the first to present, on the topic; Creating a New Standard for Senior Care: Youth-Centered Solutions in Ghana. She spoke about creating a new standard, traditional family center and approach for senior care. Some of the challenges she mentioned were lack of caregivers, and inadequate education and training. She concluded by suggesting a hybrid approach to help the youth bridge the gap.
The Effects of Covid-19 Pandemic on Older Adults
The Third session was moderated by Dr Nana Yaa Nyarko, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Ghana. Mr. Emmanuel A. Codjoe presented on, Ageing in Economic Insecurity: Exploring the Consequences of the post-COVID-19 Economic Events on the Elderly in Ghana. Followed by a presentation from the previous day topic; Socioeconomic Circumstances of the Aged in Ghana: A Study of the Livelihood Experiences and Perspectives of the Elderly presented by Dr. Kafui Tsekpo. The last presentation was on Questioning Traditional Customs in Society: The Role of the Playwright, presented by Mr. Daniel Appiah-Adjei.
Finally, some questions were asked, and answers were given. Dr. Akosua Agyemang was called upon to give a statement of gratitude.
Dr. Delali Dovie invited Prof. Rev. Joseph Osafo, the director of the Centre for Ageing studies to give his closing remarks. In his remarks, Prof. Joseph Osafo expressed his gratitude to everyone present, most especially the keynote speakers, the chairperson, moderators, presenters, participants, the technical team, and the organizing committee for their massive contributions for making the 7th Annual International Research Conference a success. The Director asserted that there is the need for a collaborative effort among all to ensure that policies that are important are rolled out, the need to deal with ageism, and economic challenges that are confronting the aged. Dr. Dovie also expressed her gratitude to everyone, and the conference ended at exactly.