The Gender, Children, and Social Protection Committee of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is intensifying its efforts to reach vulnerable communities ahead of the party’s 2024 manifesto launch.
Recently, the committee organized a successful event in Ashaiman, celebrating over 300 elderly individuals.
This stakeholder engagement, conducted in partnership with Ashaiman’s Member of Parliament, Ernest Norgbey, and the party’s constituency executives, continues the NDC’s tradition of honoring senior citizens every Republic Day on July 1.
This longstanding practice, initiated under the NDC, aims to acknowledge the significant contributions of Ghana’s elderly population to national development.
Until 2019, Republic Day served both as a national holiday and Elderly Day, commemorating Ghana’s transition to a republic and celebrating its senior citizens.
Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, Chairperson of the NDC’s Gender, Children, and Social Protection Committee, clarified the choice to host the event on June 30 rather than July 1.
She pointed out that due to July 1 no longer being recognized as a holiday, scheduling the celebration on the preceding weekend allowed more people to participate without work obligations.
“The NDC, as a social democratic party, honors and cherishes the aged, especially in a year when they have suffered haircuts. John Dramani Mahama tasked my committee, alongside Ernest Norgbey, to organise this interaction with the elderly in Ashaiman. We want to hear their issues, challenges, and recommendations on governance,” said Nana Oye.
MP Ernest Norgbey emphasized that Ashaiman’s robust backing of the NDC made it an ideal location for the event.
“We want to let the elderly know they are not forgotten. Our manifesto includes stringent policies that will benefit them if John Mahama comes to power,” he stated.
The MP, accompanied by members of the Gender, Children, and Social Protection Committee, toured various areas of Ashaiman to visit veteran NDC members and other senior citizens who were unable to attend the event. They presented gifts and engaged in conversations with them.
The elderly attendees expressed their appreciation, praising the NDC for its sincere concern for senior citizens.
They urged party leaders to stay connected with grassroots supporters and to support MP Norgbey in securing votes.
Many seniors lauded Mr. Norgbey’s commitment to the constituency, despite challenges posed by the NPP government.
This event, held on Sunday at the Celestial School Complex in Ashaiman Official Town, continues a series of similar engagements. Previous events have included visits to persons with disabilities in Essikado-Ketan and Shama in the Western Region, as well as Cape Coast in the Central Region.
The event featured food, music, and an opportunity for seniors to share their ideas for a potential Mahama administration following the December 2024 elections.
Attendees received baskets filled with rice, cooking oil, clothing, sweets, beverages, and other essentials.