By Abubakarr Tarawally
To honour the welfare and dignity of the elderly population in Sierra Leone, the Dorwontony Organization for the Aged (DoFA) has reaffirmed hope for the aged population in Sierra Leone with its 5th symposium on the theme ” Does Sierra Leone Need an Aged Act?”
The event took place on Tuesday, 15 April 2025, at the 50/50 head office on Tower Hill, Freetown.
The symposium is normally observed every year before the country celebrates its Independence Day, so the aimed is to shed light on how to craft policies that honour elderly people, ensuring they receive the care and are treated with dignity, respect, and support they rightfully deserve.
Speaking during the symposium, the Chief Executive Officer of DoFA, Doreen Barrie, emphasized the significance of DoFA’s commitment to creating and promoting dignity, safety, privacy, inclusion, and independence of Aged people in the country.
Barrie further stated that quality care for elderly people is not a necessity but a fundamental instrument as the aged population encounters physical, emotional, and cognitive challenges that require adequate support and care.
She explained that healthcare services, geriatric specialists, and long-term care facilities are essential, stressing the need for a better healthcare system that needs to be equipped to meet the needs of the aging population.
”The aging population in Sierra Leone is growing rapidly. The aged are keepers of our history, bearers of cultural heritage, and the fonts of wisdom. It is they who have built the foundation upon which our society stands today, so it’s our duty as a society to ensure they live their twilight years with dignity and respect,” she reaffirmed.
Barrie pointed out that wellness encompasses more than just physical health as it includes mental and emotional well-being as well, emphasizing that community programs are to be implemented as that will help challenge the social isolation and loneliness that elderly people face.
She warned that age should not be a barrier to participation in community life, citing the need to create opportunities through engagement in meaningful activities and sharing their knowledge and experience as they contribute to the development of the nation.
According to Re-Piter, the Chairman of the Board of DoFA explained that the aged are not mere statistics; rather, they are family members, friends, and neighbours who have devoted their lives to building and enriching the communities.
Conteh further stated that the symposium serves as an opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue about the pressing need for comprehensive legal protection for an aging population, expressing the critical need to ensure the rights of the elderly are recognized and upheld.
”We will assess the existing gaps in the services protection and how these gaps impact their well-being. Also, we will look at what the Age Act might encompass and how it can be designed to address the range of issues, visioning active collaboration, so the voices of older citizens can be heard in the decision-making process,” he pointed out.
Sheku A Kabba, a representative from Healthcare for the Aged Organization, expresses their organization’s commitment to urging the need for the government to enhance a comprehensive legal framework that safeguards the rights and dignity of this vulnerable population.
Kabba expresses dissatisfaction over the level of poverty and economic Vulnerability elderly people are faced with, nothing that; most adults lack pension and social security support, making them financially dependent and vulnerable.
He urged the government, particularly the Ministry of Social Welfare, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, and parliament, to prioritize aging in national policy and development plans, hoping to see collaboration with CSO, international partners, and communities to draft and pass into law the old person Act without delay.
