Money and respect: the changing value of old age in rural Ghana

Abstract This article describes the position of elderly people from the perspective of money anddiscusses the meaning of money from the perspective of elderly people. Anthropological research was carried out in 1994, 1995 and 1996 in a rural Kwahu community in southern Ghana. It consisted mainly of long conversations with elderly people and their relatives. Money is a core symbol in daily life by which people measure the value of their relationships. It is not used to keep people at bay but rather to establish and maintain social bonds and to secure care in old age. Having money engenders respect, as it is a sign of a successful life, while lack of money discloses failure and shame. Giving money is a way of ‘paying’ respect and shows affection and care for the elderly.