Lepers Aid Committee, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) is constructing a Leprosy Unit at Kokofu in the Ashanti Region at the cost of GH¢548,067.00 .
The project which is expected to be completed by the end of next year, is being financed through voluntary contributions and fundraising activities.
The Reverend Father Andrew Campbell, founder of the NGO, said this at a fundraising musical concert in Accra.
The occasion also coincided with the 70th birthday of Rev Father Campbell who came to Ghana in 1971 to begin his charity work.
He said the Lepers Aid Committee has led to the creation of many leprosy units in the country including one at Weija in the Greater Accra Region, Ho in the Volta Region and Nkanchina near Kpandai in the Northern Region.
Rev Fr. Campbell said leprosy was an infectious disease that causes severe disfiguring skin sores and nerve damage in the arms and legs.
‘The disease has been around since ancient times, often surrounded by terrifying, negative stigmas and tales of leprosy patients being shunned as outcasts’’, he said.
Rev Fr. Campbell said outbreaks of leprosy have affected and panicked people on every continent adding that today about 180,000 people worldwide are affected with the disease.
He expressed the hope that the project when completed, will help break the transmission chain of the disease by identifying, treating and managing lepers at the early stages of the infection.
This, Rev Fr, Campbell said, would also help prevent disabilities and the stigma attached to the disease.
He appealed to the government, benevolent organizations and NGOs to contribute generously to the project.
Former President Jerry John Rawlings commended Rev Fr. Campbell for initiating and executing many projects in the country and also for winning many awards.
He also called for support for Rev Fr Campbell to enable him complete his projects.
Source: GhanaWeb
