The President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency Dr. George Manneh Weah has by Proclamation declared Sunday, October 1, 2023 as United Nations “World Older People Day” to be observed throughout the Republic as a Working Holiday and to be celebrated on Monday, October 2, 2023.
The Proclamation directs all Civic and Voluntary organizations and Government agencies concerned to fully participate in programs as planned by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to make the occasion meaningful and rewarding.
According to Foreign Ministry release, Liberia will celebrate the United Nations World Older People Day, as a demonstration of its appreciation for the contributions of the elders towards the Socio-economic development of the Country under the International theme: “Resilience of Older Persons in a Changing World” and National theme: “Older People facing the Challenges of Changing Realities in Liberia”.
The Proclamations discloses that the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolutions 4.5/106 on December 14, 1990 declaring the International Day of Older Persons to be observed on October 1 of each year to raise awareness about issues affecting the elderly and to appreciate the contributions they have made to society in the areas of education, medicine, economic, science and technology, social services, history and preservation of cultural heritage.
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection is the legally recognized institution in Liberia charged with the authority to provide services and address the needs of older people in the country in collaboration with non-governmental organizations such as the Coalition of Caregivers and Advocates for the Elderly in Liberia (COCAEL), a Foreign Ministry release says.
COCAEL emerged in August 2014 out of the health crisis created by the deadly Ebola Virus Disease to complement the efforts of the Liberian Government in providing adequate response to the needs of the elderly and ensure their survival as the most vulnerable population in the country.
