News:
November 29, 2019
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament has been urged by head of an international non-governmental organisation from Kenya, Shem Ochola to gather support from other regional blocks to pass protocol to support the human rights of older persons.
According to Shem Ochola, ECOWAS Parliament can help galvanize support from other regional bloc Parliaments like the Southern Africa and East African Parliament to pass the protocol supporting the right of older persons.
He made this remarks on Tuesday the 27th of November, 2019 when a two days workshop jointly organized by the Community Parliament and the National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria was brought to an end.
Mr. Shem Ochola head of Network Coordinator and Development Helpage International Kenya, pleaded with lawmakers to help champion the protocol in the sub-region as it needs the political will for it to happen.
“We need to push this agenda seriously, because protecting the right of older persons in some countries within the West African countries is not seen as serious and urgent”.
He noted that it is in the interest of everyone in the sub-region because as lawmakers if God grants them the grace to live beyond sixty years they fall into older persons category, and they should be treated with dignity and respect.
“Most importantly if we see ourselves in that category and in that picture, there is the need for us to fight for the human rights of elderly person, we would provide the technical assistance but we do not have the political power to push this through.
In addition, we are prepared to work with you as you engage your National Parliaments and government. We need progressive legislation and programmes that would address the right of older persons, let us see ourselves in this picture”.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/ghanamps.com/Abuja