Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – As the world marks the International Day of Older Persons on October 1, I find myself reflecting on the words of Mrs. Juka Jabang, vice president of the University of Senior Citizens – Gambia Chapter (USC-G).

Speaking on Hot FM Radio 104.3, her calm yet insistent voice reminded us of a truth we too often forget: the elderly are not a burden on society, but a blessing—the very roots that keep our national tree standing strong.

The Roots That Held Us Together

In the Gambia of old, our elders were more than family heads. They were storytellers, peacemakers, and guardians of tradition. Their wisdom settled disputes under the bantaba tree. Their folktales by lantern light instilled honesty, courage, and unity. Their hands guided us through rites of passage, teaching us how to walk life’s journey with dignity.

Even in moments of great uncertainty, their presence anchored us. I recall the 2016–17 political impasse, when fear and rumor filled the air. My late mother would whisper, “Everything will be okay. Stay calm. Pray.”

That steady reassurance was the embodiment of what elders have always been—the calm in our storms, the strength in our weakness.

The Reality Today

But today, the picture looks very different. Too many elders who once carried us on their shoulders are now left to carry their burdens alone. Teachers who shaped generations survive on meager pensions. Farmers who once fed villages struggle to feed themselves.

Nurses and civil servants who gave their best years to the nation now wait endlessly in queues for medicines they cannot afford.

Urban life has eroded the close family bonds that once defined us, leaving many of our elders in the shadows—their wisdom untapped, their service unrecognized.

A University of Dignity

The University of Senior Citizens seeks to change this. Launched in The Gambia in 2022 as part of a global initiative, USC-G offers lifelong learning, advocacy, and engagement for elders.

It challenges the notion that old age signals the end of usefulness, instead framing it as the flowering of wisdom.

Central to this vision is the push for a Senior Citizens Bill—legislation that would enshrine elders’ rights to healthcare, safe transport, financial independence, and social dignity. Such a law would ensure that senior citizens are not treated as an afterthought, but as citizens with full and equal rights.

A Call to Our Conscience

We, as Gambians, must ask ourselves: how do we want to be remembered for the way we treat our elders?

If our grandmothers once sat by the fire to remind us of our values, if our fathers and mothers once toiled in fields and offices to secure our futures, then surely we can build a society where their final years are marked by comfort, respect, and recognition.

Mrs. Jabang’s words on Hot FM Radio were not just an interview; they were a reminder. To honor our elders is to honor ourselves—for tomorrow, we too will join their ranks.

How we treat our senior citizens today is a mirror of the nation we are becoming. May that mirror reflect dignity, gratitude, and justice.