Ghana ranks 69th globally for treatment of elderly persons in first-ever index

Ghana has been ranked 69th in the first-ever global ageing index released today October 1, 2013 by the UN Population Fund (UNPF) and advocacy group HelpAge International.

The Global AgeWatch Index, released to mark the UN’s Day of Older Persons, ranked 91 countries by how well their ageing populations are faring.

The index is based on four domains that are key enablers of older people’s wellbeing: Income, Health, Employment and education, and Enabling environment.

Ghana came third highest among eight African countries where the index survey was conducted. Mauritius and South Africa were ahead of Ghana.

In the income security domain Ghana ranked 81st, fourth highest regionally, after Mauritius, South Africa and Morocco. “This is due to its comparatively high pension coverage of 11.5%, the report said.

Ghana placed second regionally and 67th globally in the health category. The country’s healthy life expectancy is at age 60.

For education and employment, Ghana ranked 33rd. After South Africa, Ghana has the second highest proportion of older people, 31.1%, with secondary or higher education.

As part of HelpAge’s Age Demands Action (ADA) campaign, it said older Ghanaians are asking for the establishment of an Ageing Desk in the newly created Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.

Of Ghana’s 25.4 million total population of persons, only 1.5 million representing 6% are over 60 years old, the index indicated.
By Ekow Quandzie