Liberia under the Independent National Commission on Human Rights(INCHR) in collaboration with Coalition of Caregiver and Advocates for Elderly in Liberia(COCAEL) joined the rest of the world to celebrate International Day for older people in Monrovia.
Speaking over the weekend at the program, Acting Director for Department of Legislative Assistant Treaty Matters and Law at INCHR, Atty. Bowoulo T. Kelley stated that the International Day of older persons is celebrated October first every year which came into existence through the United Nations General Assembly resolution 45/106 on December 14, 1990,after several initiatives such as the Vienna International Plan of action on aging.
Atty. Kelley stressed that older persons as a group are as diverse and varied as the rest of the population and their situation depends on a country’s economic and social situation , demographic, environmental. Cultural and employment factors at the individual level, on the family situation, the level of education, the urban or rural environment and the occupation of workers and retirees.
She pointed out that in Liberia there are many who do not have adequate means of support which are prominently among the most vulnerable, marginal and unprotected groups.
She asserted that in time of pandemics like the (corona virus)and economic recessions,older persons are particularly at risk.
Atty, Kelley maintained that there is a need for Liberia to ratify the protocol of the African Charter in the rights of the older persons and the passage of the Bill presently at the Legislature for the establishment of a National Commission of the Elderly for sustained advocacy, the enactment and implementation of laws and policies aimed at promoting the rights of older persons to institutionalize government support as a duty bearer to this vulnerable population.
Meanwhile, the Representative of the Electoral District #11 in Montserrado County Richard Koon who champion the passage of the establishment for the National Commission on Older Person at the House of Representatives said caring for elderly people through legislation is crucial for people who have tremendous contributions for the growth and development of Liberia.
Representative Koon stated that supporting elderly people through feeding, housing and health care will go a long way to bring back dignity to people who have spend their youthfulness serving the country and its people over the years.
He noted that every young person is a potential older person in the near future and if the elderly people currently are neglected or lack of protection under the law to cater for them until their last day on Earth , it would affect the present generation again.
He explained that more elderly people have been abandoned by their children, relatives and friends in several communities across the nation.
For his part, the Chairperson of INCHR, Dempster Brown said it is shameful and disgraceful for Liberia to neglect the welfare elderly people in the country.
Chairperson Brown stated that the protocol of the African Charter on the rights of older persons has not yet being signed by Liberia which is the oldest independence nation in Africa and called on Liberians to pray for the nation.
He stressed that the commission will speak for the rights of Liberians according to international protocols, conventions and treaties which have been signed by the Liberian Government to be respected.
He narrated that it is wrong to see elderly people begging for food in the street corners and communities which have been reflected that Liberians do not love each other in the society.
In related development, the Chairperson of COCAEL, Rev. Anna Kpan acknowledged the effort of the two Lawmakers of the House of Representatives for the passage of the establishment of the National Commission on Older Person in Liberia.
Rev. Kpan stated that COCAEL appreciate highly their stand toward alleviating the plights of elderly people through an institutional instrument to address the welfare of the aging in the society.
She disclosed that COCAEL prefer to honor Representative Richard Koon of Montserrado County and Representative Tibelrosa S. Tarpoweh of Margibi County respectively for their dedicated and commitment to transform the living condition of elderly people in Liberia.
