The vice-president, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, marked his 58th birthday on Thursday (7 October) by having breakfast with cured lepers in Accra.
Bawumia, accompanied by his wife, Samira, began his day by visiting the Weija Leprosarium to meet some of the residents and share his joy on his special day with the cured lepers, most of whom have been abandoned by their families.
Dr Bawumia, who is the life patron of Lepers Aid Ghana, has often shared fond moments with cured lepers in various parts of Ghana on special occasions, including during festive seasons.
Speaking at the breakfast with the lepers, Dr Bawumia said: “It is really an honour and a privilege to be here today on the occasion of my 58th birthday.”
He added that sharing moments with the lepers, especially on his birthday, “gives me so much joy, because lepers have been ostracised by society”.
Reach out and touch
The vice-president appealed to society to embrace the lepers because there is nothing wrong with having contact with people who have been cured of the disease.
Bawumia restated the government’s commitment to the welfare of lepers, disclosing that it has been building and extending facilities for lepers at leprosariums across the country.
“During the COVID pandemic, President Akufo-Addo insisted that all of you should be given the vaccine, and, as you can attest, you have received them,” he said.
The head of the Weija Leprosarium, Father Andrew “Nii Lantey” Campbell, commended Dr Bawumia for choosing to spend his birthday with lepers, as well as his immense contribution to their welfare over the years.
“We are happy and blessed that you have chosen to spend your birthday with us. You have taken a great interest in lepers, not just here in Weija but across other places in the country. We are so grateful for what you have been doing for us over the years,” he said.
Father Campbell also said: “We are also grateful to your government for what you have done at the leprosarium by giving us facilities such as a dormitory block, clinic and a research centre, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.”
Dr Bawumia and the Second Lady were joined by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, to serve meals to the cured lepers.
He also donated items including bags of rice, assorted drinks, a bull and GHC10,000 in cash to help in running the leprosarium.
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