Ghana Moves to Strengthen Support for Growing Elderly Population
Ministry commits to expanding social protection, healthcare and care systems as 60+ population rises sharply
Ghana’s growing elderly population has prompted the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to announce a coordinated plan to reinforce support systems for older persons. The appeal came as the country observed the 2026 International Day of Older Persons under the theme, “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives.” The Ministry highlighted new measures to strengthen income security, healthcare access, age-friendly communities and legal protections for seniors. Population data shows the number of Ghanaians aged 60 and above has surged from 213,477 in 1960 to 1.99 million in 2021, with projections indicating it will hit 5.7 million by 2050. This demographic shift requires urgent investment in services tailored to the needs of older adults. To meet the challenge, the Ministry plans to expand the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme while updating the 2010 National Ageing Policy and reinforcing the National Technical Committee on Ageing. Key priorities also include shifting public perceptions, reducing age-based discrimination, and improving care for victims of neglect or abuse. Special attention is being paid to supporting community and unpaid family caregivers, who play a central role in elderly support systems.
