The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications has donated assorted items to the Lepers Aid Committee (LAC) to support Leprosaria in Ho, and the group of cured lepers in and around Wa, as part of the mobile industry’s effort to support the national fight against the coronavirus disease.
LAC is a non-governmental organisation chaired by Rev. Fr. Andrew Campbell; S.V.D has for over three decades championed the plight of cured lepers in Ghana. The intervention of LAC has led to the creation of leprosy units at Weija in the Greater Accra Region, Ho in the Volta Region and Nkanchina in the Northern Region.
The items comprised bags of rice, cooking oil, maize, beans, sardines, sugar, tomato paste, disposable face masks, nitrile gloves, gallons of hand sanitisers and disinfectants, and were donated to LAC to support inmates in observing the hygiene protocols directed by Ghana Health Services.
Dr. Ing. Kenneth Ashigbey, Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber who led the delegation said: “As the nation observes the COVID-19 safety protocols, residents at the leprosaria were in critical need of these relief items to protect and feed themselves.
“As a Chamber, we are committed to also remember those within marginalised groupings. We have considered residents at the leprosaria who suffer from Hansen’s disease (leprosy) or effects of the disease, and we are here to showcase our commitment with this donation,” said Dr. Ing. Ashigbey.
Rev. Fr. Campbell expressed his appreciation to staff and members of the Chamber for coming to aid of the leprosaria. He also used the opportunity to admonish the general public to treat persons with leprosy as well as the cured lepers with dignity, and replicate the gesture shown by the Chamber.
According to Rev. Fr Campbell, the restrictions created from the pandemic have dwindled fundraising activities for LAC’s work with cured leprosy patients. “The soup kitchen we organise from the parish for street children in Accra, where children are also counselled and taught skills, are funded from weekday Mass offerings and donations,” said Fr. Campbell.
Fr. Campbell expressed his gratitude on behalf of LAC, highlighting that the Chamber’s donation couldn’t have come at a better time than this. He further called on other organisations and well-meaning Ghanaians to emulate this gesture and support them.
