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The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) has initiated a process for the enactment of a law to provide clear guidelines on the protection of the welfare and interest of the aged. The move is to reduce the difficulties that the elderly encounter , especially with mobility and access to care and support from family members. In the interim, the ministry will soon roll out a programme that will offer free bus rides and priority banking services for the elderly. The sector Minister, Nana Oye Lithur, made this known when she presented assorted food items to 100 widows and widowers as well as orphans and the aged from various Muslim communities at the residence of the National Chief Imam in Accra. The items included rice, beans, cooking oil, tomato paste, mosquito nets and drinks. She said the programme, was intended to give the elderly the necessary care and attention they needed as ambassadors of peace in society. The presentation The presentation, which was done by the ministry in collaboration with Direct Aid-Ghana, a Muslim non-governmental organisation, was to provide support and to show compassion to the needy in society, especially during the month of Ramadan. Present at the ceremony were the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osumanu Nuhu Sharubutu, the Member of Parliament for Ayawaso East, Mr Nasser Mahama Toure, the Assembly Member for the Nima community, Alhaji Umar Sanda Mohammed, the Founder of Al-Hayaat Foundation, Hajia Hanatu Abubakar, and some beneficiaries. Islam supports the vulnerable Speaking on behalf of the National Chief Imam, the Founder and President of Al-Hayaat Foundation, Hajia Hanatu Abubakar, said the kind gesture resonated perfectly with the teachings of Islam concerning the vulnerable in society. She said the donation could not have come at a better time than the month of Ramadan, a period in which the Quran was revealed. Hajia Abubakar mentioned that it was the duty of every Muslim to take care of the needy in society, saying: "The Prophet Mohammed considered the care of widows in society as a high form of charity." For his part, the Country Director for Direct Aid Ghana, Ahmed Sheikh Abdirahman Omar, reaffirmed the organisation's commitment to be supportive of the aged and underprivileged in society irrespective of their religion or ethnic background.