State Pension a reality or a myth

The current stability in both the political and economic situation in Ghana means we are now in a position to become an example for the entire African continent.

Ghana did have a huge recession in the 1980's that ruined our economy growth and development and we had to seek outside assistance i.e the IMF. However this meant we had to make business, which bring profits to back the loans. This move has strangled our economy at a price we can't afford to pay.

With the our new discovery Ghana should learn from the plight from our Nigerian neighbours who had huge amounts of oil however benefits from the oil were siphoned out of their country and used for projects outside Nigeria. The Nigerian communities in which the oil were discovered are not benefiting at all in a way of community developments. For example, building of new schools, libraries, and construction of town, improving the infrastructure etc. Why did the Saudi Arabia get their calculation about the new discovery right when Nigeria got it wrong leaving communities penniless and still under developed? Surely, if a social responsibility package was embedded in the business proposal and business plans the story would have been different.

This would allow our system to consider having a state pension, which would benefit everyone. A social security reform is badly needed in Ghana and the rest of Africa. Given that the level of poverty in Ghana and else where always pops up in every conversation. Each year when the world leaders G20 meet this topic is always revisited.

Yet, in the mist of plenty in Ghana and the rest of Africa blessed with 24/7 sunshine plus rivers, seas, gold, cocoa, coffee, diamond, oil and much more yet we still plead poverty. In contrast, companies who buy our raw materials are making multi billion-dollar business outside Ghana and Africa. Why do we lack the expertises needed to also cashing in these opportunities these raw materials offer?

As a result of these shortcomings and lack of vision on our part we are failing to contribute to our economic growth and offer a provision for a basic state pension of the elderly population.

Ghana has never had a day care centre, sheltered accommodations or nursing homes for the elderly. These groups are often left at the mercies of families who sometimes treat the elderly very brutally. The whole care package of the elderly is absent within our system.

What are the plight of those the elderly people without children or families within our communities? What is their future when they hit the retirement age and have no money to pay for hospital bills? Does our system exempt the elderly from dental and hospital bills? Whose responsibility is this then?

The children of the elderly population are then become burden with extra hospital bills, funeral bills etc all on top of their own responsibilities. This is precisely what happened in Britain up until 1948.

Instead of the younger population to face with challenges of their own as well being a sort of basic pension for their elderly population. Our youth have a lot of their plates when they approach 21 plus as compared to the style life of the developed world. This even becomes apparent when our students study abroad and the demands on them from their families increases. Students are now the developed countries will not understand this dilemma.

Many people in the developed world have now forgotten that they also went through this situation and often wonder why people migrate. This is one of the reason why the exodus of Ghanaians and other Africans in the developed world. The Irish people did precisely the same during the potato famine by going to America in their numbers. The Portuguese, British all came to Africa in search of gold etc. This migration was due to the poverty in Britain those days. Everyone wants peace and comfort before they pass on to the next world.

The care of the elderly must be a priority. It is very costly and sadly in Ghana and the rest of Africa, the younger people are burden with this cost. How can our youths aspire to be creative and be focused when the pressure on them is just unbearable? Yet we expect so much from these groups. In spite of these challenges many succeed against the odds.

Given that 70 yrs ago Ghana integrated into the international world yet failed to be proactive in this area. Why is this area has still unexplored?

Why are our leaders not thinking of this area however some know the significance of drafting their own pension scheme from the state money. Why is this not happening?

Everyone in Ghana would benefit from a basic state pension and this is something, we should seriously consider at our next stage of development.

What is the plight of our elderly disabled with our society? Do they get a basic pension or die like lizards?

With the discovery of our oil, I would encourage the Government to introduce a Basic pension Guarantee for every Ghanaian. If this is not in their manifesto then it must be initiated in future ones.

We should consider the voiceless, powerless elderly population who are dying in their number due to the greed of politician. Now we have a chance to help these people

Everyone is accountable and if we fail as a nation to raise these concerns of our vulnerable population then we also suffer with them. No one should consider him/herself that, I am all right because I work and I'm well paid and family and extended will be fine. We should not deceive ourselves in thinking in this way.

It would be worth having a long-term plan that would take our infrastructure and redevelopment in partnership with the Government, the private sector, create opportunities, and the international investors.

Let's have a turnaround Ghana where our elderly and youths aspire to achieve their dreams.

The Rt. Hon Peter Liliey who served as the Secretary of State for Social Security 1992-1997 in the U.K produced a document which could be adopted to suit our system.

Development / Ghana / Africa / Modernghana.com