By Prince J. Musa in Kenema
In an effort to ensure that the wellbeing of the aged are catered for in Sierra Leone, The Ministry of Labour and Social Security on 7th December 2020 officially launched the policy for the aged in Kenema, eastern Sierra Leone.
The event attracted participants from the three districts of the region; Kailahun, Kono and Kenema, and in attendance were old people and public officials.
Given an overview of the policy, the regional coordinator east, Ministry of Labour, James Foya, explained that they were in Kenema to present the policy to the relevant stakeholders. He said the document is a testament to treat old people with respect and humanity.
“The then government of Pa (Ahmed Tejan) Kabba noticed that a lot of old people lost those that support them and most were languishing in society.
Not all old people work under government but they do contribute to national development in one way or the other and they need support. This policy is not only for civil servants but those old people from sixty and above and for those living in abject poverty in communities,” he said.
He added: “It’s first in the history of this country trying to get policy that will care for the aged under the New Direction. Each district will benefit from housing facilities, cash transfer, health facility, food and clothing, among others.”
According to Foya, when the policy turns to law, it will be incumbent on any sitting government to implement it at all cost.
The chairman, Kenema District Council, Mohamed Amodu Sesay, described the event as important for the country. He called on the young people to embrace the policy because they too are going to benefit from it at their old age.
The Director of Social Safety Net, Ministry of Labour and social Security, Abubakar Siddique Kamara, noted that the popularization of the policy is a big move for the country as it will help government to get more support from other development partners.
“We are determined as a ministry to ensure that this policy passes through parliament. Any meaningful parliamentarian that cares for his or her people will not reject this policy when tabled in parliament. Ageing policy aims at taking care of all aged people. We want to commit present and subsequent governments to include the aged in national budget every year,” he said.
Paramount Chief of Jawai in Kailahun District, PC Musa Ngombukla Kallon, on behalf of other paramount chiefs, referred to the policy as a laudable venture.
“This will reduce some of the burden on us the chiefs as most of them direct their problem to us as chiefs. We want this process to be done at chiefdom level so that the real vulnerable aged can benefit from the scheme,” he said.
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