Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on January 30, 2022 joined the President of Lepers Aid Ghana, Rev. Father Andrew Campbell and cured lepers to commemorate this year’s World Leprosy Day at the Weija Leprosarium in Accra.
This year’s celebration was under the theme, “United for Dignity”.
Vice President Bawumia who is a life patron of the Cured Lepers Aid Committee urged Ghanaians to stop discriminating against people living with leprosy and rather give them attention and care.
GBC’s Mercy Darko reports that World Leprosy Day is marked on the last Sunday of January every year to create awareness of the disease and also sensitize the public on the need to stop the stigmatization of those affected living with the disease.
The “United for Dignity” campaign calls for unity in honoring the dignity of people who have experienced leprosy. The campaign honors the lived experiences of individuals who have had leprosy by sharing their empowering stories and advocating for mental wellbeing and the right to a dignified life free from disease-related stigma.
Vice President Bawumia noted that ”leprosy does not make one unintelligent, stressing that when cured lepers are given the chance, they will be able to exhibit their God-given talent”.
Rev. Father Campbell said despite the continuous education, stigmatization still remains a challenge for cured lepers.
He stressed the need to embrace those affected by the disease and give them affection.
He noted the Lepers have been cautioned against begging for alms on the streets as it undermines the efforts to make their lives better.
Rev. Father Campbell expressed gratitude to the government, especially the Vice President, for his contribution to the well-being of the Lepers.
”Support the lepers and treat them with dignity”, he noted.
The Vice President who is a life patron of the Lepers Aid Committee, together with his wife Hajia Samira Bawumia have over the years hosted scores of cured lepers at their residence.
All cured lepers in Ghana are placed on government’s social intervention programme called the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty, LEAP as well as stipends from the District Assemblies Common Fund.
Vice President Bawumia made a cash donation of GHC50,000 to the Lepers Aid Committee.
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