The Resident Director of the Weija Leprosarium, Rev. Father Andrew Campbell, has commended the Vice President, Dr. Mahamaudu Bawumia, for what he describes as his "extraordinary support" for lepers in Ghana.

Speaking at the observation of World Leprosy Day, held at the Weija Leprosarium, Accra, on Sunday January 28, Father Campbell said, on a day reserved for creating awareness against stigmatisation of lepers, it was important to commend one of the "pillars of support" for lepers in Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

"Dr. Bawumia has never said no to us. Anytime we have called on him, even on short notice, he has responded positively and has never turned his back on us," Father Campbell said of Dr. Bawumia, who was the Special Guest for the World Leprosy Day 2024.

"He comes here all the time to spend time with us, interact with us, and eat with us. He helps a lot in the fight against stigmatisation," Father Campbell added.

"He does not only come here, he also invites us to share special moments with him. When he moved into his official residence as Vice President, he invited us to share the moment together."

Father Campbell, who has been head of the Weija Leprosarium for 50 years, said the centre, and lepers in Ghana in general, "are privileged to have such a man, His Excellency Vice President Bawumia showing us such love, to inspire against stigmatisation."

"He has been a pillar for us, and to have someone like him always availing his time and supporting us, we can only be grateful to him and the Lord. May God bless you, Mr Vice President, for the extraordinary support."

Other stakeholders present also commended Dr. Bawumia for the support he has been showing to the cured lepers in Ghana, as well as his advocacy against stigmatisation.

"We are indeed privileged in Ghana to have the Vice President commemorating the world leprosy day. It doesn't happen elsewhere," said an official of the Ghana Health Services on leprosy programmes.

As part of activities marking that day, Dr. Bawumia cut the sod for the construction of a kitchen for the Weija Leprosarium.

He made a cash donation to support the construction of the kitchen.

Vice President Dr. Bawumia is also the Chief Patron of the Ghana Lepers Aid Committee and often spends special occasions such as Christmas Day, New Year's Day, holidays, and his birthdays with the cured lepers.

The World Lepers Day is observed on the last Sunday of every January.