Accra, Dec.9, GNA - Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia on Sunday feted about 100 cured lepers at his residence as part of the celebration of the Yuletide.
The gesture is historic as it is the first time a sitting Vice President had hosted cured lepers in his home.
The Vice President, who is the Patron of the Lepers Aid, in December, last year, presented assorted food items to cured lepers at the Weija Leprosarium.
Vice President Bawumia and his wife, Samira, entertained their guests to gospel songs while they feasted.
The cured lepers were drawn from the Weija Leprosarium in the Greater Accra Region, Ankaful in the Central Region and Ho in the Volta Region.
The Vice President said it was humbling to host the cured lepers as that was the best way to show appreciation to God.
He said cured lepers deserved better care and affection and underscored the need to intensify public education on the need to embrace and integrate them back to society.
He said it was possible for everyone to be infected with the ailment and, therefore, society should not abandon them.
He applauded Rev Father Campbell for his enormous support and dedicated service to the cured lepers.
Vice President Bawumia commended Madam Irene Naa Toshie Addo, Administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund, and Madam Cynthia Morrison, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, for the passion they had shown towards supporting the cured lepers.
Mrs Samira Bawumia, in her welcome address, said it was the first time they had organised a public event at their residence and called for the need to embrace each other and show affection to the marginalised.
Reverend Father Andrew Campbell, the Chairman of the Lepers Aid Committee, expressed appreciation to the Vice President for the gesture and described it as historic and heart-warming.
He noted that it was rare for high profile personalities in society to associate with cured lepers due to stigmatisation.
Rev. Father Campbell entreated the public to feel free to interact with the cured lepers since they would not be infected.
He said due to the marginalisation of lepers by their close relatives and society, they often isolated themselves, which often prolonged the healing process.
He said leprosy could be cured within six months with the appropriate medication.
“The cured lepers are our treasures and we should show them love and affection,” Rev. Father Campbell said.
He said for the 48 years of his priesthood life, he had not witnessed such love and joy like what was shown by the Vice President.
He said one major challenge was stigmatisation by the society while families of the cured lepers abandoned them after admission at the Weija Leprosarium.
Rev. Father Campbell underscored the need to stop the stigmatisation and discrimination against cured lepers.
He used the occasion to invite the Vice President to the Lepers Aid Music Concert on December 16 at the Christ the King Catholic Parish to raise funds for its activities.
Madam Cynthia Morrison gave the assurance that the members of the Ghana Lepers Aid would be enrolled on the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty to support their upkeep.
Madam Naa Toshie Addo, on her part, said due to the Vice President's intervention, the Common Fund had increased support to lepers to 25 per cent to cater for their up-keep and welfare.
She gave the promise that seven polyclinics and seven hostels would be built for the cured lepers to ensure comfortable living.
One of the cured lepers presented Mrs Samira Bawumia with a painted portrait of her.
The event was attended by high profile dignitaries including Mr Joseph Osei Owusu, the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Dr Okoe Boye, Member of Parliament for Ledzokuku.
GNA
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