MTN Ghana restocks blood bank to save lives

MTN Ghana Foundation has organised its annual nationwide blood donation exercise to support hospitals and help stock the National Blood Bank in Accra.
The exercise, dubbed ‘Save a Life’ was held on Valentine’s Day to mobilize partners and customers of MTN and to help encourage the public to voluntarily donate blood.

The initiative which took place simultaneously at the MTN House in Accra and designated 42 bleeding centers across the country, forms part of the company’s continued commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainability.
Acting Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, Nana Kofi Asare, expressed appreciation to all involved in the blood donation exercise, noting the profound impact their participation has had on communities across the country.
“Your selfless contributions, whether as medical professionals, volunteers, or blood donors, have been instrumental in saving lives. Since its inception in 2011, the ‘Save a Life’ initiative has answered the National Blood Service’s call, helping to replenish blood banks and provide critical resources to those in need.” he said.
He announced that his outfit anticipates collecting 6,100 units of blood from all locations this year, noting that the company’s efforts reflect not only a commitment to health but also the values of empathy, kindness, and generosity that define the Ghanaian spirit.
Despite progress in voluntary blood donation efforts over the years, Ghana still faces significant challenges in meeting its transfusion needs.

In 2022, the country collected 179,765 units of blood, with only 45,463 units (roughly 25%) coming from voluntary donors.
This falls short of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended target of 10 units per 1,000 population, highlighting a substantial gap between supply and demand.
The 2025 blood donation exercise aims to close that gap with an ambitious goal of collecting 6,100 units of blood from 42 bleeding centers set up across all 16 regions.

The exercise seeks to make it easier for more Ghanaians to donate by providing more accessible locations for volunteers, furthering MTN’s commitment to improving the health and well-being of the nation.
Blood donors, who have been crucial to the success of this initiative, were recognized for their selfless acts of kindness.
“You are the unsung heroes of this initiative, and we are forever grateful for your support,” he acknowledged.
The Chief Executive Officer of the National Blood Service (NBS), Dr. Shirley Owusu-Ofori, expressed her sincere gratitude to MTN Ghana Foundation for organizing another nationwide blood donation drive.
She stated that the MTN Save a Life Campaign has fostered a strong partnership between the MTN Ghana Foundation, the National Blood Service, the 37 Military Hospital, and Regional Blood Centers across the country.

“This collaboration has mobilized voluntary, unpaid blood donations that have saved countless lives.” she added.
She revealed that since its inception in 2011, the MTN Save a Life campaign has collected over 29,000 units of blood, with 5,901 units collected in 2024 alone.
Dr. Owusu-Ofori noted that, despite the efforts, only 6 out of every 1,000 Ghanaians donate blood, leaving a substantial gap in supply.
She indicated that blood donations are critical to saving lives, especially in emergencies or for patients undergoing complex medical procedures.
“Blood cannot be manufactured. It must be donated,” she reminded, stressing the importance of voluntary donations to ensure that hospitals can provide life-saving care.
She also applauded MTN’s initiative, noting its role in improving the availability of blood in hospitals and reducing reliance on commercial blood donations.

The CEO, urged all Ghanaians to continue promoting solidarity through blood donations and to support the country’s efforts to build a safe, sustainable blood supply system.
She also echoed the sentiment of American blood donor advocate Roger Maker: “Giving blood is a brave, unselfish, and honorable act of solidarity that makes a difference in the lives of those facing life-threatening conditions.”
MTN Ghana’s “Save a Life” blood donation exercise continues to be a cornerstone of the company’s broader sustainability agenda, reinforcing its role as a leader in social responsibility within the country.
By CHRISTABEL OBOSHIE ANNAN, Accra