Vice President fetes cured lepers at residence

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.

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.