Mrs Dzifa Attivor, Deputy Minister of Transport, on Saturday, celebrated the New Year with cured lepers in Ho.
She feted the over 100 inmates and their families with food and drinks, amidst drumming and dancing.
Mrs Attivor, on behalf of Dede Foundation, a non-governmental organization, donated a fridge, set of local drums, bags of rice, mats, cooking oil, bags of sugar, beans and maize, as well as foodstuffs to the inmates.
She said her gesture, which was to the tune of GHc 8,500, was to support the inmates to enjoy the Christmas and New Year festivities.
“Around this time, many families come together, people attend several social gatherings, so this is to make our relations here feel part of the celebrations,” Mrs Attivor said.
She said plans were far advanced to establishment a skill training centre in the area, to empower the people and called for the support of all.
Mrs Attivor also said Dede Foundation was considering establishing a scholarship scheme for brilliant but needy pupils and students of cured lepers, and hoped the initiative would enhance the quality of life and a secured future.
She observed that the main challenge of the inmates was stigmatization and urged the media to help eliminate that attitude in society.
Mr Joseph Amenowode, Volta Regional Minister also donated some packs of soft drinks to the inmates.