Social support systems for the aged in the Bawku municipality

Abstract

The global ageing population is increasing in number and in proportion, although at different rates in different parts of the world. Ageing involves biological, psychological, economical and social change throughout the life cycle of an individual. The social status of the aged in a given society reflects the political, economic and traditions of that society. In Ghana, family-based support systems for the aged were very effective in the past. However, there are concerns on the effectiveness of it and the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to adequately support the aged. The main objective for this study was to assess the existing social support systems for the aged in the Bawku Municipality. The purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to select 286 aged persons for interview. In addition, Executives of the Government and SSNIT pension Associations and the Municipal Director of SSNIT were interviewed. Ninety percent of the aged did not benefit from any formal penSIOn scheme and depend on agriculture for their livelihood. The main sources of livelihood were incomes from self-engaged economic activities (44%) and remittances from children (42%). They depended on their children for psychological and social support. The aged in Bawku would also not want to stay in a home for the aged even if it was free. The aged still have faith in the ability of their children and other family members to take care of them. Therefore, the family should be supported in order that they would be able to take care of their aged relations.