Gender Minister Calls On National Chief Imam

The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Nana Oye Lithur (Mrs), has disclosed that government had initiated the process for the enactment of a national law which would provide clear guidelines for the protection of the welfare and interest of the aged. She said government were committed to ensuring that people who had sacrificed and contributed to the growth of the country were recognised. Mrs Lithur made this statement when she paid a courtesy call on the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Shaributu, in Accra. The Minister mentioned that government had interest of the elderly at heart and was working studiously towards the welfare of the elderly in the country. She added that her Ministry had taken steps towards the development of programmes which would ensure that they would priority services as senior citizens. She observed that the free registration of the elderly onto the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was part of government's effort to ensure that the elderly lived comfortably. According to Mrs Lithur plans had already begun for the free bus rides and priority banking services for the elderly which she said would ease the problems of the aged. She further called on the elderly in the society to encourage the youth to abstain from violence but should rather advocate against harmful socio-cultural practices such as female genital cutting, forced and early marriage and accusation of withcraft among others. Speaking on behalf of the Chief Imam, the Founder President of Al-Hayaat Foundation, Hajia Hanatu Abubakar said Islam place much premium on the less priveledged in the society and lauded the kind gesture showed by the Minister. She added that the Holy Quran urges Islams to treat the valnurable in the society as sacred trust and should should try helping the less priviledge in the society. The Minister also used the opportunity to donate to the aged widows and widowers at Fadama in Accra. Some items donated to the widows and widowers included rice, cooking oil, beans, tomato paste, drinks, mosquitoo nets among others.