The National Ageing Policy (2010) was developed in recognition of the rapid increase in Ghana’s elderly population and the growing socio-economic challenges associated with ageing. Between 1960 and 2000, the proportion of elderly persons (65 years and above) rose from 4.0% to 5.3%, with most living in rural areas and facing poverty, limited healthcare access, social exclusion, and gender disparities. Older women, in particular, experience compounded vulnerabilities due to cultural discrimination, widowhood, and inadequate social support. The absence of a comprehensive policy framework to guide interventions and integrate older persons into the development process necessitated this policy’s formulation.

The aim of the policy is to achieve the social, economic, and cultural re-integration of older persons into mainstream society to enable their active participation in national development. Its objectives include upholding the rights of older persons; ensuring their participation in society and development; reducing poverty; improving health, nutrition, housing, and general well-being; strengthening family and community support systems; and improving income security and social welfare.

The policy adopts several strategies to achieve these aims. These include enforcing legal protection for older persons, mainstreaming ageing issues into all development planning processes, expanding access to healthcare and social protection, promoting active and productive ageing, providing opportunities for lifelong learning, and improving data collection on the aged population. It further promotes gender-sensitive interventions, research on ageing, and capacity building for policy implementation.

Institutionally, implementation is multi-sectoral and participatory. The Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare leads coordination, supported by government agencies, universities, research institutions, the private sector, and community organisations. A National Council on Ageing is to be established to oversee coordination and monitoring, while District Assemblies integrate ageing programmes into local development plans. The policy also proposes the creation of an Active Ageing Fund to sustain financing for implementation.