Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia with one of the lepers
Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia yesterday threw a party for cured lepers drawn from across the country, mostly from the Weija, Ho, Ankaful and Cape Coast leprosaria.
The party, which was held at his official residence, was the first of its kind by a Vice President.
According to Dr Bawumia, he decided to use the opportunity God has given him to help others especially lepers, drawing inspiration from the “love thy neighbour as thyself” quotation.
Same time last year, the Vice President who happens to be the Patron of the Lepers Aid, Ghana presented assorted food items to cured lepers at the Weija Leprosarium.
But yesterday, he and his wife, Samira, entertained their guests to good music amidst dancing with lots of food to eat and drink.
Some government officials including First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joe Osei Owusu; Gender, Children Affairs and Social Protection Minister, Cynthia Morrison and her Deputy, Gifty Twum Ampofo; Member of Parliament for Ledzokuku, Dr Oko Boye and Irene Naa Torshie, Administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) joined the Vice President to serve the lepers.
Reverend Father Andrew Campbell, Chairman of the Lepers Aid Committee, expressed profound appreciation to the Vice President, describing the gesture by the second family as historic and heartwarming.
He noted that it was rare for high-profile personalities in society to associate with cured lepers due to the stigmatization.
He entreated the public to feel free to interact with those who had been cured of leprosy since they would not be infected.
Reverend Father Campbell said he had never seen such happiness written on the faces of lepers in his 48 years in the service of God.
He was overwhelmed by the Vice President’s unwavering support for lepers and his high sense of responsiveness to their cause and thanked him and his wife for their continuous support.
He, however, spoke against persons who stigmatize persons with leprosy, saying “it has to stop; we have to stop the stigmatization.”
Naa Torshie revealed that government intends to build a special hospital for lepers since they are sometimes stigmatized.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent