This paper is divided into four sections; the first examines briefly and generally the position of the elderly in traditional Africa and stresses especially their political and economic roles. Next it looks at the social and economic transformation which followed the colonisation of Africa and its effect on the position of elders. In the third section are discussed the responses of the elders to these changes and the extent to which they have tried to retain their positions against opposing forces of change. In the concluding section the paper argues that African states need to provide an alternative form of social security in the light of the diminishing economic security of the elderly in present day Africa.
Read
