The international community celebrates the International Day of Older Persons (JIPA) on October 1st each year.

Now in its 31st year, with the theme of "Digital Equity for All Ages", JIPA was held in Cameroon this year. The program of this celebration was spread over a week of activities dedicated to the well-being and health of the elderly.

The National Office for Veterans, Former Military Personnel and Victims of War of Cameroon (ONACAM) did not remain on the sidelines of this great event. Defender of the interests of all veterans, including those of the third age, it was involved in the organization of this ceremony. As such, its members were able to combine business with pleasure through a very attractive entertainment program that included a sports walk, a round table and other activities related to their well-being.

The closing of the activities marking this Day took place on October 1, 2021, at the House of the Veteran of Yaoundé under the presidency of Her Excellency Pauline Irène NGUENE, Minister of Social Affairs.

The Veterans, through the voice of the Director General of ONACAM, Colonel Alfred FULLER, did not fail to express their satisfaction and gratitude to the Minister for the choice she made to organize for the first time, the closing ceremony of this celebration at the House of the Veteran of Yaounde. A very memorable decision which translates and seals a long and wonderful partnership between her ministerial department and ONACAM for the benefit of the 3rd age of the Ministry of Defense, members of this structure.

It was then in a festive setting that the banquet hall of the Maison du Combattant in Yaoundé was decorated to welcome the illustrious guest of the day, who was accompanied by several civil and military authorities. Representatives of NGOs and many guests were also present. In synergy, they came to greet and pay a deserved tribute to this fringe of the population that is often the victim of rejection by society as well as other forms of marginalization.

In his speech, the Director General, after the customary courtesies, noted the importance of the use of digital technology for the elderly, which will certainly allow them to open up to modernization and development, through Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) especially in this period when the Covid-19 pandemic imposes on the whole world the choice of a new mode of behavior.

Following the Director General, several panelists have edified the guests and the elderly present, on the importance of the use of digital for seniors in a world in perpetual change.

In her speech, the Minister insisted on the need to break the generational digital divide that exists between young and old populations by facilitating their access to ICTs, the objective of this celebration. In other words, the promotion of social inclusion will inevitably go through the digital. It is a process that necessarily involves awareness and training to familiarize the third age to the use of this tool, condition ''sine qua non'' of his exit from an isolation in which he lives daily for ages. The illustrious speaker also focused on the well-being and health of the elderly.

Always attentive to the needs of vulnerable people, the Minister offered them minimum packages. It was with great pleasure that the happy beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to the Minister and to His Excellency Paul BIYA, President of the Republic, Head of State for this highly magnanimous gesture.

The entertainment was provided jointly by the Fanfare of Veterans and the musical group of the famous saxophonist Marius DOSSOU. Through a very varied musical repertoire, the guests as well as the elderly present, visibly delighted, spent pleasant and happy moments in the presence of the Minister and her special guests.

At the end of this celebration, ONACAM felt reassured of the support of Madam Minister as to the establishment of a partnership for the benefit of Veterans, Former Military and War Victims of Cameroon.