Old folks and human suffering

The aged

Grey hair is an honour from God, says my uncle, Kofi Jogolo, whose moustache the world ad­mires. Unfortunately, his moustache is not grey. However, my dear, uncle who is a petty bourgeoisie is greying at the temples, which according to him is a sign of wisdom, reverence and honour. To me, it is also an indication that he is gradually nearing ‘home’ to render a comprehensive account of his life to his Creator.

Indeed, the principles of account­ability and probity transcend grey hairs and moustache, and wind up in St Peter’s Heaven.

Anyone who is getting close to the age of 60 can rightly claim the grey hair status. But in Sikaman for in­stance, to be a living member of the grey hair fraternity is a privilege and not a right. This is because the aver­age life span of humans today is 49 years, and the average in Third World countries is much lower. Poverty alone can kill you at 27.

It is also of interest to note that journalists have the lowest average lifespan vis- a-vis other professional groups, according to a proven re­search.

In any case, the human species are better off than insects and animals. A mosquito lives for only six days and decides to call it quits. Most birds live for five years; and when a dog lives up to 10 years, it automatically becomes a liberal democrat. Why? Because it becomes so weak that it can no longer be a leftist watchdog of its master’s home. The poor dog becomes rather liberal to thieves and burglars.

So is it with human beings who clock 65 and above, especially when they have not eaten good for over six decades. According to the Bible, the human limit which has been divinely decreed is three score and 10, that is, 70. This appears discriminatory when we consider that Methuselah for instance lived for 969 years before agreeing to die.

CURSE

Back to Sikaman, anyone who flies past the age of 65 is considered an old- man (woman) whether he is well- nourished or takes ‘quarter’ on a regular basis.

To many, however, to be called an old person is rather a curse than a blessing. And of course nobody wants to be a pensioner for obvious reasons. So you see workers who are clearly over 70 years claiming to be 50 just to avoid retirement and its associated mon­ey palaver. But somehow, they are justified.

Fact is that, these days, nobody cares for the aged, and so they have to care for themselves. It was the quest to avoid this unfortunate situation that the HelpAge Ghana was formed last year as a voluntary organisation aimed at promoting the well-being of the aged and ageing in Sikaman.

When the second HelpAge Week was launched last weekend, I felt so sad to see on television, old men and wom­en, some of whom could hardly work their rickety heels to help themselves about. Some really had to be assisted to walk.

HelpAge has come so timely, at a time when no one respects or cares for the aged. In times’ past, old folks were regarded as useful mem­bers of the society, imparting knowl­edge and wisdom to the younger generation, telling Ananse stories to enliven the evenings of little children.

But today, old people are regard­ed as nuisance. They are accused of being talkatives, always complaining of kooko, waist-pains, constipation, diarrhea, chronic catarrh and lack of good diet.

Their physical and mental infirmities associated with senescence, coupled with the high cost of fending for them, makes them unwanted in a rat-race society where man must live by sweet.

Some people really want their aged relatives to die quickly to relieve them of the burden of caring for them. They can’t afford to be feeding them every day like that! So unfortu­nate.

PROBLEMS

In the developed countries, how­ever, because of problems that go with caring for the elderly in society, homes for the elderly are established in many communities, where the aged can live comfortably to enjoy their last days on earth. They are cared for, nourished and entertained.

In fact, there is a branch of med­icine called GERONTOLOGY which is concerned with the processes of growing old, and there is what we call (GERIATRICS) which is the med­ical care of old people. Scholars are specialise in these fields because their society cares for the welfare of the aged.

HelpAge Ghana is a laudable idea and Sikaman natives must be awak­ened to their responsibility to the elderly. Those who also handle their pension claims must avoid the un­necessary delays. I remember, my old man had to go up and down for months before he was put on his right­ful scale.

Now, instead of wishing our aged mothers, fathers and grand-parents to die so that we can get enough money to drink beer, let us contribute to Hel­pAge Ghana to get it firmly instituted.

That way when we are lucky to reach the three score and ten mark, we could also benefit from it. No one knows what the future has in store.

Sometime last year, I was privileged to attend a get-together of pensioners of UAC and management staff at the Ambassador Hotel. I am not a pension­er though. It was quite an interesting scene to see old men and women all over chatting animatedly, and remi­niscing their good old days.

I was also quite impressed with how some of them attended to the gin, brandy and beer at the reception.

In contrast to this, it is so pathetic to see many old people in the capital of Sikaman begging for money to buy kenkey. They look dirty and unkempt carrying aloft their grey hairs. Let us find a means of helping out these elderly folks so that when our turn comes the good old Lord will have mercy upon us.

This article was first written was on Saturday October 6, 1990