The National Old Folks of Liberia (NOFOL) say they want the National Commission for the Elderly in Liberia (NCEL) Bill in the Liberian Senate passed into law.
According to the Executive Director of NOFOL, Momo Allison Bainda, the House of Representatives of the 54th Legislature passed the bill and sent it to the Liberian Senate for concurrent, but it is still in committee room at the Senate.
Director Bainda made the remarks over the weekend at the end of a two-day workshop for more than 50 caregivers for elderly people in Liberia.
He underscored that the passage of the bill will go a long way in catering to the welfare of elderly Liberians in the country. “Whether you are rich or not, you will get old to benefit from basic social services in the society,” Director Bainda stated.
Director Bainda observed that it is unfortunate that there is no legal instrument or legislation to seek the welfare for elderly Liberians, which makes them vulnerable in the Liberian society.
He explained that many elderly Liberians do not have decent place to live, not to mention that they live in poor conditions, which should claim the attention of legislators, especially senators. He noted that aging is for everybody.
“Everybody prays for long life, and if God blesses you with long life it comes with old age. So it is good for members of the Liberian Senate, 55th Legislature, to concur with the House of Representatives for the passage of the bill, ‘National Commission for the Elderly in Liberia’,” he added.
Director Bainda emphasized that the welfare of elderly Liberians should be prioritized as they have significantly contributed towards the growth and development of the nation over the years, and now in their old age they should not be neglected.
Meanwhile, the Director for Social Assistance at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Tenneh Kpedebah, said the training of caregivers to cater to elderly Liberians is the first of its kind in Liberia.
Director Kpedebah told the caregivers to utilize the knowledge acquired to treat elderly Liberians with care and love in their communities and the country at large.
She pointed out that the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection is reactivating the department that is responsible for the welfare of elderly people, in collaboration with organizations that are seeking the needs of elderly Liberians in the nation.
In a related development, the participants expressed thanks and appreciation to the government and NOFOL for providing the training to treat old people in the society with care and respect.
They promised to implement the knowledge to transform the living condition of elderly Liberians in the country.