In the heart of Ghana’s Upper East Region, the Bongo District is fighting a quiet but devastating battle. Over the last six years, this rural district has recorded a deeply worrying rise in leprosy cases, with 57 new cases reported from 2019 to September 2025. For many, the word “leprosy” conjures up images from distant history books, but in Bongo, it is a daily reality, one made worse by stigma and isolation. This troubling revelation came from Mr. Kpankpari Wononuo Bismark, the District Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Focal Person, in the documentary “Pains of the Forgotten: Leprosy, Stigma, and Resilience” produced by Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen of ApexNewsGH. In a candid conversation, Mr. Bismark described the situation as “alarming,” drawing attention to the many layers of hardship leprosy patients endure beyond their diagnosis. “Stigmatization in Bongo is very high,” Mr. Bismark lamented. “Some patients are isolated, left in separate rooms, made to live alone. This worsens their mental health.” For many, the fear of being shunned by neighbors and loved ones is just as crippling as the disease itself. Some wait until their symptoms are too severe to hide, seeking help only when sores and deformities make life unbearable. “When we identify leprosy early, we can treat it within nine months,” Mr. Bismark explained. “But when patients report late with sores and deformities, the damage remains for life.” The consequences of this fear-driven delay are profound. Advanced leprosy often leaves patients with lifelong disabilities, making it impossible for them to farm or work. In a region where most people depend on their hands to earn a living, the economic toll can be just as devastating as the physical suffering. “Most of them cannot do meaningful work because of deformities,” Mr. Bismark said. “That is why interventions from NGOs that provide small capital for farming, weaving, or soap-making are so helpful. These initiatives help reduce idleness and restore dignity.” But the challenges don’t end with stigma and economics. Mr. Bismark also pointed to the struggles of accessing medicine, which must be requested from the regional health directorate and sometimes runs out. Still, he remains optimistic about the impact of treatment: “The good thing is that when we start the medicine, transmission to others is minimized, even though sometimes we run out of drugs briefly.” The changing climate also brings fresh hardships for leprosy patients. During the harsh dry season, cracked skin can lead to open sores that quickly become infected. Without easy access to clean water and proper hygiene, these sores can become septic, threatening not just health but life itself. “NTDs are neglected diseases, and sadly, the people suffering from them are also neglected,” Mr. Bismark noted. “Many patients live far from clean water sources, making hygiene very difficult.” Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) remain critical challenges. In remote villages, fetching water involves long, painful journeys, a heavy burden for those already weakened by disease. This lack of WASH infrastructure leaves patients especially vulnerable to complications and further social exclusion. Despite these daunting obstacles, hope persists in the form of early detection and community support. “Leprosy is airborne, and elephantiasis is caused by mosquito bites. Everyone is at risk. That is why we keep telling the community: support patients, don’t stigmatize them, because you never know when you could also be affected,” Mr. Bismark urged. The fight against leprosy in Bongo is not waged by government alone. Non-governmental organizations like the Development Research and Advocacy Center (DRAC), led by Executive Director Jonathan Adabre, are helping to fill the gap. DRAC’s holistic approach tackles both the practical and social sides of the disease. “With support from Anesved Fundación, we raise awareness about early signs of diseases like leprosy, elephantiasis, and yaws,” Adabre explained. “Many believe leprosy is genetic, but it takes up to 20 years to manifest. That misconception must end.” DRAC’s projects are as varied as they are vital. The organization has drilled ten boreholes across affected communities, ensuring that more families have access to clean, safe water. They have also formed water health committees to educate locals on hygiene practices, crucial for managing NTDs. But perhaps their most transformative work lies in supporting economic empowerment. DRAC provides training and materials for basket weaving and soap-making, linking patients and caregivers to markets. “Buyers come to the community to purchase baskets, and we provide materials and training,” Adabre says. These initiatives offer more than income; they restore a sense of purpose and connection. The story of leprosy in Bongo is one of pain, but also of resilience and hope. It is a reminder that diseases like leprosy do not just attack the body, they disrupt families, livelihoods, and entire communities. Breaking the cycle requires more than medicine. It calls for compassion, early detection, and the kind of holistic support that brings patients out of the shadows and back into the embrace of their community. As Bongo continues its fight, the district’s journey stands as a testament to the power of partnership, awareness, and above all, human dignity. WATCH THE VIDEO DOCUMENTARY BELOW: Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
