ADAPTING GHANA’S HEALTH SYSTEM FOR AN AGEING POPULATION – REGIONAL MINISTER ADVOCATES REFORMS AT GMA PUBLIC LECTURE

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Hon. Joseph Addae Akwaboa, the Bono Regional Minister, has emphasized the urgent need for Ghana’s health systems to evolve in response to the growing needs of the nation’s ageing population.

Speaking at the 25th Annual Public Lecture of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) in Sunyani on 25th July 2025, he highlighted the critical importance of designing healthcare models that go beyond curative care to embrace preventive, rehabilitative, and long-term support for the elderly.

Addressing the theme, “Ghana’s Ageing Population: Challenges, Opportunities and Strategies for the Next Decade”, Hon. Akwaboa called for comprehensive health sector reforms aimed at ensuring that older adults have access to quality, inclusive, and dignified healthcare.

According to him, the elderly are more than beneficiaries of care; they are custodians of tradition, knowledge, and social stability. He urged that, with the right support, Ghana’s ageing citizens could play an instrumental role in intergenerational learning and community cohesion.

The Minister proposed greater investments in areas such as community-based care, active ageing programmes, and genetic medicine. He also encouraged medical professionals to help shape effective ageing strategies by empowering caregivers and improving access to medical services for older persons.

In highlighting ongoing government efforts, Hon. Akwaboa noted that infrastructure improvements, healthcare workforce strengthening, and increased public health education, particularly for vulnerable populations, are all part of broader measures to enhance elderly wellbeing.

Joining the conversation, Dr. Lenusia Ahlijah, a Geriatrician at Tema Urban Hospital, delivered a presentation on “Health of Ghana’s Ageing Population”.

He explained that Ghana is undergoing a significant demographic shift marked by increasing life expectancy and declining fertility.

Citing the 2023 Ghana Demographics and Health Survey, Dr. Ahlijah revealed that individuals aged 60 and above are projected to constitute 22% of the population by 2050, with the current average life expectancy at 64.5 years—66.7 years for women and 62.4 years for men.

Dr. Ahlijah warned of rising health risks among older adults, including chronic diseases, disabilities, and injury-related complications, especially in rural areas.

He recommended enhanced funding for health promotion, disease prevention, expanded insurance coverage, rural health improvements, and caregiver support as essential strategies to meet the healthcare needs of the ageing population.

The lecture underscored a shared call to action: policymakers, healthcare providers, and civil society must collaborate to ensure that Ghana’s older adults can age with dignity, health, and purpose.