The Gender, Children and Social Protection Committee of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is ramping up its outreach to vulnerable communities ahead of the party's 2024 manifesto launch.

The committee hosted a successful event celebrating at least 300 elderly people in Ashaiman on Sunday.

The stakeholder engagement, held in collaboration with Member of Parliament for Ashaiman, Ernest Norgbey, and the party's constituency executives, aligns with the NDC's tradition of honoring senior citizens every Republic Day, July 1.

This practice began under the NDC to recognise the invaluable contributions of Ghana's elderly to national development.

Until 2019, Republic Day was both a national holiday and Elderly Day, celebrating Ghana's transition to a republic and its senior citizens.

The Chairperson of the NDC's Gender, Children and Social Protection Committee, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, explained the decision to hold the event on June 30 instead of July 1.

She cited the loss of the holiday status, which would require many to work on July 1, as the reason for moving the celebration to the preceding weekend.

"The NDC, as a social democratic party, honors and cherishes the aged, especially in a year when they have suffered haircuts. John Dramani Mahama tasked my committee, alongside Ernest Norgbey, to organise this interaction with the elderly in Ashaiman. We want to hear their issues, challenges, and recommendations on governance," said Nana Oye.

MP Ernest Norgbey highlighted Ashaiman's strong NDC support, making it a strategic choice for the event.

"We want to let the elderly know they are not forgotten. Our manifesto includes stringent policies that will benefit them if John Mahama comes to power," he stated.

The MP and an entourage from the Gender, Children, and Social Protection Committee also toured parts of Ashaiman to visit veteran NDC members and other senior citizens who could not attend the event, presenting them with gifts and interacting with them.

The senior citizens expressed their gratitude, commending the NDC's genuine care for the elderly.

They encouraged the party leadership to remember the grassroots and support MP Norgbey in bringing in votes.

Many of the elderly people praised Mr Norgbey's dedication to the constituency despite challenges posed by the NPP government.

The event on Sunday at the Celestial School Complex in Ashaiman Official Town follows similar engagements with persons living with disabilities in Essikado-Ketan and Shama in the Western Region, and Cape Coast in the Central Region.

The event featured food, music, and an opportunity for the elderly to voice their suggestions for a potential Mahama administration after the December 2024 elections.

Attendees received baskets containing rice, cooking oil, cloths, confectionery, drinks, and other items.