The Parish Priest of the Christ the King Catholic Church, Rev. Father Andrew Campbell has urged government to put all Leprosariums across the country on the LEAP Programme.
According to him, lepers are one of the most marginalized in society who hardly receive donations from individuals and companies because of the stigma that comes with the disease.
He said it is difficult to run such facilities when little support comes from government and the public.
Rev. Father Andrew Campbell said this when a team from Kasapa FM led by Osomafo Kingsley Agyenim Boateng, Host of Anidaso a midmorning gospel programme visited the Christ the King Leprosarium in Accra yesterday, to donate a cash amount of GHS31,980.00 to the centre.
Presenting the money, Osomafo Kingsley Agyenim Boateng said the money was raised through his Anidaso show.
He explained further that he and his team received the direction from God to raise the money together with their listeners and donate to the Leprosarium after they have embarked on a one week fasting and prayer.
Osomafo Agyenim Boateng said the theme and word for the fasting and prayer was based on 2nd Kings chapter 5 and 2nd Kings chapter 7.
“We were directed by God to make a thanksgiving donation here so that Father Campbell would pray for everyone who contributed to raising the money.
Receiving the donation, Father Campbell said if all Leprosariums are put on the LEAP Program lepers will be catered for.
The Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme provides cash and health insurance to the extremely poor households across Ghana to alleviate short-term poverty and encourage long term human capital development.
“I am commending government for putting the Weija Leprosarium on the LEAP programme. I am further appealing to government to expedite the process to put the remaining Leprosariums across the country on the programme. The LEAP programme is there to help the poor and needy in society and we are grateful that those at the Weija and Ho Leprosariums have been put on the Programme.
“Those at the Kokofu, Capecoast and Upper East Leprosariums have not been put on the programme”, Father Campbell said.
According to Father Campbell, he has had an interaction with the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection,Madam Cynthia Mamle Morrison and has humbly requested that government put the remaining leprosariums across the country on the LEAP Programme.
“We have written twice to the Minister of Gender to please put them on the LEAP programme so we get some help for them. I met her last week and she said she is following through”, he indicated.
He said the facility has never received such support especially during this Covid-19 period .
“This is wonderful. To all your listeners, staff and donors we say thank you and God bless you. The money received will be used to buy food items, toiletries and other essential items to cater for not only Christ the King Leprosarium but all Leprosariums accros the country that my office supports.
“Because of stigmatisaztion, very few individuals and companies hardly make any contributions and donations”, Father Campbell stated.
The Catholic Priest encouraged, government, individuals and institutions to support them in running the various facilities.