PAY OUR PENSION ON TIME (PAGE 40, JULY 6)

SENIOR citizens in the Northern Region have expressed worry about delays in the payment of their monthly allowances.
They said the inconveniences they usually underwent at the various banks were not the best, and that, that was a clear manifestation of the ills in our society.
They expressed this sentiment at a reception organised for them in Tamale by the Northern Regional Co-ordinating Council to mark the 49th celebration of the Republic Day. They entreated the coordinating council to intervene to ensure that the right thing was done.
“We are so old that if we are supposed to be going through such drudgery, we might not live long because what we go through is enough to make the old and elderly to break down,” they pointed out.
They also complained that some of the pensioners came from rural communities and other remote parts of the region to receive their meagre allowances, but were usually disappointed.
Other senior citizens also called on the youth in the region to lead exemplary and healthy lifestyles such as eating more vegetables and fruits as well as exercising their bodies frequently.
The Regional Minister, Mr Stephen Nayina, for his part, appealed to the old folk to take up leadership roles in their respective communities and help inculcate positive virtues and attributes in the youth.
“We, therefore, rely on you to champion our resolve to redeem the image of the region from conflict to peace; hatred to love and divisiveness to reconciliation,” he stated.
Deserving senior citizens were presented with Ghana@50 souvenirs and certificates.
From Koforidua, Nana Konadu Agyeman reports that about 110 persons, comprising 20 heads of departments and agencies; 27 retired officials from the Eastern Regional Co-ordinating Council and three senior citizens from each of the 21 municipalities and districts in the region were honoured in connection with the Republic Day celebration.
In an address, the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, commended senior citizens for their contributions to the country’s development over the years.
“Old age, as a symbol of honour, associated with wisdom, wise counsel and knowledge, is an asset which must not be allowed to go waste,” he stated, and gave the assurance that the government was prepared to tap the potential of the aged.
Mr Ampofo appealed to the youth to be mindful of the plight of the aged in society and give them the needed support to enable them to live a happy life.
“Equally, I also appeal to senior citizens to make available to the youth the benefits of their rich experience and expertise, so that together, we can move the nation forward in the right direction,” the minister added.