Dr Edward Danso, Chief Executive Officer of Comi Relief Foundation (CRF) Global and “The Respite,” has urged Ghana to fundamentally transform its approach to healthcare for older persons. The growing ageing population faces challenges such as sickness, poverty, inadequate healthcare systems, limited public education, and neglect. These issues require urgent and coordinated interventions. Dr Danso made the call at a seminar organised for the aged to mark the 2026 World Ageing Day celebration in Koforidua.
The seminar's theme, “I Will Never Forget You,” serves as a solemn commitment to grandparents, parents, and older persons whose sacrifices have contributed to society's development. Dr Danso emphasized that society owes its existence to their sacrifices, but as the ageing population grows, so do the challenges that threaten to push them into isolation. He stressed the need for a shift from merely treating illnesses among older persons to providing healthcare that promotes dignity, independence, and quality of life.
Dr Danso advocated for the decolonisation of ageing healthcare, moving away from a eurocentric, one-size-fits-all model towards approaches that consider the specific needs and realities of ageing persons. Healthcare providers must focus on identifying the fundamental causes of illnesses rather than merely masking symptoms. They should also help older persons maintain their physical abilities and continue engaging in activities they value.
Specialised geriatric care is crucial because older persons often experience multiple, interacting health conditions requiring comprehensive assessment and management. A geriatrician considers how conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease interact, while also taking into account changes in the ageing body. Dr Danso noted that changes in body temperature, resting heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing patterns occur naturally with ageing and can be misunderstood if healthcare professionals lack adequate knowledge of geriatric care.
CRF Global's SMART Clinic provides comprehensive care to older persons, including managing multiple chronic conditions, preventive treatment, and assessing medication interactions. The facility also evaluates memory loss, confusion, and different forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, it assesses balance and environmental hazards to help protect the functional independence of older persons.
The organisation utilises digital and remote healthcare services to bring medical care closer to seniors, particularly during emergencies, reducing the stress associated with travelling to health facilities. CRF Global, a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the lives of grandparents and older persons, has implemented interventions in the area for the past 14 years. These interventions include targeted in-person and remote healthcare services, public awareness campaigns on ageing and preventive health, and guidance for families caring for older persons.
CRF Global, together with “The Respite,” will continue to promote practical solutions to the challenges confronting Ghana’s ageing population. Dr Danso emphasised that by restructuring the approach to ageing care, Ghana can ensure that its elderly live out their years with the independence and dignity they earned. The organisation aims to build a healthcare system that remembers and supports the elderly.
Key points
- Dr Edward Danso calls for a fundamental transformation in Ghana's approach to healthcare for older persons.
- CRF Global's SMART Clinic provides comprehensive care to older persons, including managing multiple chronic conditions and preventive treatment.
- The organisation advocates for the decolonisation of ageing healthcare, focusing on specific needs and realities of ageing persons.
