The Ghana Institution of Surveyors, on Tuesday presented food items worth GH¢2,000 and cash of GH¢500 to inmates of the Weija Leprosarium in the Ga South Municipality.
The donation, made up of onions, maize, charcoal, rice, soap, gari, beans, sugar and cooking oil were made in commemoration of their 43rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the 6th Surveyors’ Week celebration,
Ms Yvonne Sowah, President of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors, said the donation formed part of the social responsibility of the Institute.
“Every year, during the celebration of our AGM and Surveyors’ Week, we endeavour to show love to a deprived institution and this year, we chose to come here to show some love to you”, she said.
Ms Sowah cited lectures, admission of new members into the Institute, the election of a new president and members of a governing council and thanksgiving service as some of the activities earmarked for this year’s celebration.
The Reverend Father Andrew Campbell, Chairman of the Lepers Aid Committee, who received the items, expressed his appreciation
to the surveyors for their assistance to the Leprosarium.
He appealed to government to increase the GH¢8.00 monthly allowance that each inmate received since it was too little.
“It is pathetic to note that when we break the GH¢8 down, each inmate is supposed to spend 26 Ghana pesewas a day which is just inadequate.”
Rev. Father Campbell praised the general public for their assistance to the Leprosarium which now has 33 inmates.
He appealed to Ghanaians to stop the stigmatization of cured lepers but rather accord them the needed respect so that they could
integrate easily into the society.
“It seems we are getting into the Biblical era whereby lepers had to announce their presence or arrival with bells”, he said.
Rev. Father Campbell urged relatives of lepers to visit them and provide for their needs in order to make them feel loved.
“It is sad to note that most of these inmates have been abandoned here, but when they die, the family members come here with big cars and drinks to ask for their corpses”, he noted.