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Africa's
older people unite for action
on ageing
INT'L DAY OF OLDER
PEOPLE MARKED HERE
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ADDIS
ABEBA(October 2,2008) - Older people across Africa
joined hands together on Wednesday 1 October 2008, the UN International
Day of Older People, under the banner of Age Demands Action - a global
campaign calling for recognition and support of older people's vital
contribution to society.
Groups and organisations of older people in Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana,
Kenya, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe
representing the African continent, are among 36 countries worldwide
who participated in national activities around 1 October to press
for improved ageing policies and practices in their countries.
The Day was observed here in Ethiopia under a theme "Rights of
Older Persons".
In a message through his representative on the occasion, President
Girma Woldegiorgis said the Ethiopian government would do its level
best to fight poverty and backwardness that threatens the wellbeing
of older people.
Integrated efforts are needed to implement policies and programs designed
to address the socio-economic problems of older people, he said.
The international day of older persons was celebrated for the 18th
time internationally and 17th time in Ethiopia.
In Ghana, older people met President John Kufuor to call for improved
access to healthcare facilities. In Cameroon, they met with ministers
to call for training in income generating activities, including mushroom
cultivation and bee farming. In Tanzania, they called for a package
of measures including social pensions, support for older people caring
for orphans and measures to protect older women who are accused of
witchcraft. In the IDP camps of West Darfur, older people took part
in celebrations including speeches and music.
Across Africa, older people will be making their voices heard.
Amleset Tewodros, HelpAge International Regional Programme Manager
for Africa, said
"Older people are the backbone of families and communities. They
work to feed their extended families and they care for grandchildren,
often orphaned by HIV and AIDS.
Yet 100 million older people worldwide live on less than $1 a day.
They are among the poorest and most marginalised groups in many countries.
"Time is running out. By 2050 one in five of the world's population
will be over the age of 60. African governments must act now to invest
in and support older people through age-friendly policies and practice
in order to realise their true social and economic potential."
Age Demands Action is the first worldwide campaign of its kind. It
was launched in 2007 by HelpAge International, the global network
striving for the rights of older people.
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