Don’t Stigmatize Cured Lepers

THE CHAIRMAN of the Lepers Aid Committee, Reverend Father Andrew Campbell has asked Ghanaians to stop discriminating against cured lepers in the country.

Leprosy is facing huge stigmatization in Ghana and Africa, but Rev Campbell said the disease, like any other, can be cured and after it is cured; the person who was infected can go about living life normally.

Rev Campbell disclosed this when he was addressing group of cured lepers during the 60th world leprosy day which was held at Nkanchina Number 2 in the Northern Region.

“People suffering from the disease are discriminated against by their families and society but lepers are human beings and they deserve to be treated as such. In the past, people were banished from their towns because they had leprosy. Even after they are cured, people treat them like they are not human beings,” Father Campbell said.

The world Leprosy Day is celebrated in the last Sunday of January each year in remembrance of the great Mahatma Gandhi who championed a course to eradicate the stigmatization against lepers around the world.

The Lepers’ Aid Committee in collaboration with District Assemblies Common Fund with support from other groups and individuals made numerous donations to cured Lepers at Nkanchina. 

“We want to help you to live, we want to share what we have with you, and we want to make life happier for you. You are important and we will help you at all times,” Rev Campbell said before handing over the items to the cured lepers.

 “After hearing about you, President John Mahama personally gave me 30 bags of rice and 5 gallons of cooking oil to give to you, Domod Aluminum Limited also donated cooking utensils. Member of the Christ the King Catholic Church also gave out several things to be given to you.” 

As at now, the Nkanchina no. 2 leprosarium has 90 inmates therefore the District Assemblies Common Fund has agreed to give fifteen cedis per head per week to help improve the living standard of the cured lepers. They have also pledged to construct concrete structures so the cured lepers can relocate to from their mud houses.