Cabinet has approved the appointment of members of the Board of Directors of the National Commission on the Elderly under the chairmanship of retired Justice Donald Trotman.
The membership includes Pastor Ronald Mc Garrell, Goolzar Namdar (CIOG), Wendel Roberts, Negla Brandis, Claudette Foo, Rita Thomas, and Oslyn Crawford, with representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Private Sector Commission; the People’s Progressive Party/Civic and the parliamentary opposition, the Human Services and Social Security Ministry stated in a press release on Friday.
The commission will focus on improving the lives of senior citizens in Guyana. Among the priorities to be addressed are minimum standards for homes and facilities caring for the elderly, security, public transportation, access to services, abuse of the elderly, and social, educational and recreational programmes.
Justice Trotman indicated that the commission intends to undertake community outreach programmes to sensitise people of the needs and requirements of the older population, and to foster closer interaction between the young and older persons.
He also noted that the commission endorsed many of the suggestions of Human Services Minister Jennifer Webster for enhancing the quality of life of the senior citizens in Guyana, and expressed appreciation for her supportive interest in the functioning of the commission.
Other issues to engage the new commission’s attention include advocating concessions for senior citizens who use the public transport system and other services, such as bill payments, banking, pursuing legal matters and processing of passport and other applications. There are also plans for a comprehensive list of appropriate activities to observe the Inter-national Month of Older Persons in October.
The commission held its first meeting on Thursday in the boardroom of the Human Services and Social Security Ministry.
Minister Webster said that she expects a lot to be accomplished, since the commission comprises many dedicated persons who are committed to making a difference towards improving the quality of life of the elderly.
