Cured lepers in Ho are expected to live independently, following the presentation of equipment to the Lepers’ Skills Training Centre by Mrs Dzifa Attivor, Minister of Transport on Wednesday.

The items, including 10 sewing machines, fabrics for tie and dye, spin creams; hair pomade and weaving loops would make the training centre operational.

A number of the inmates could not farm or do any economic activity due to their physical conditions.

They would therefore be trained to acquire employable skills at the centre to be economically independent.

The more than 100 inmates were also given pieces of cloth each, bags of rice, corn, cooking oil and canned drinks to mark the New Year celebrations, all worth Ghc25,000.

Mrs Attivor said the equipment would help the inmates to generate income and live dignified lives.

She commended managers of the Lepers Village for taking good care of things entrusted to them and said efforts are being made to address other concerns of the inmates.

Madam Joycelyn Akorfa Oclich, Director of Cured Lepers Foundation on behalf of the cured lepers expressed gratitude to Mrs Attivor for supporting the Village in the past five years.

She said Madam Attivor’s continuous support had lessened the challenges of the inmates and prayed for more of such support.

Madam Oclich said the inmates need solar panels because of high electricity bills and called for public support.

The inmates drummed and danced all day in appreciation of the gesture.