Manya krobo: MTN Ghana, in collaboration with the National Blood Service, has successfully conducted a blood donation drive at Manya Krobo Senior High School in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality as part of the 2026 Valentine celebrations. This annual initiative is part of MTN's corporate social responsibility efforts aimed at replenishing the blood bank of the Eastern Regional Hospital and promoting the life-saving practice of voluntary blood donation.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Ransford Gyan, the Area Sales Manager for the Eastern, Volta, and Oti regions, highlighted the significance of the exercise, noting that MTN Ghana has been utilizing Valentine's Day as a platform to gather blood donations for hospitals nationwide. He stressed the critical role blood plays in emergencies and how difficult it can be to procure when urgently needed, making this collaboration vital for supporting the blood bank through their donation drive.
Mr. Gyan further emphasized the importance of timely blood transfusions in determining patient survival during emergencies. He proudly mentioned MTN's 15-year commitment to this cause, during which the company has collected over 26,000 units of blood across the nation. For 2026, the company's national target is set at 7,000 units across all 16 regions to bolster the country's healthcare system.
Ms. Philomina Quayson, the Eastern Regional Blood Donor Organiser at the Regional Hospital, described the initiative as a critical intervention supporting accident victims, pregnant women, critically ill patients, and others in need of blood transfusions. She mentioned a target of at least 400 units of blood, with plans to continue the exercise at Yilo Krobo Senior High School in Somanya. Ms. Quayson assured the public of the safety of blood donation for healthy individuals aged 17 and above, while advising those with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and sickle cell disease, as well as pregnant women, to refrain from donating.
Ms. Quayson revealed that the regional hospital requires nearly 40 units of blood daily, but current stock levels have dwindled due to schools being on vacation, as students form a significant portion of regular donors. She stated that despite the potential of collecting less than the target, any amount obtained would significantly aid in saving lives.
Grace Adwoa, one of the donors, expressed her motivation, driven by compassion and the desire to assist accident victims and others in emergencies. She cited the Bible's teaching of loving one's neighbor as oneself as her inspiration for participating in the blood drive.