Also, Margaret Darko from the Eastern Region (26 units of blood) was crowned the National Best Female Donor, while Aaron Obeng received the National Best Youth Blood Donor award with 41 units of blood.

The University of Ghana Medical School also emerged as the Best Tertiary Institution Donor with 272 units of blood, while Fire Academy and Training School was second with 205 units and the Nursing and Midwifery Training School, Pantang, with 193 units.

Event

The 25th National Blood Donor Day and the launch of the 2026 Annual Voluntary Blood Donation Campaign were held on the theme, “Give Blood, Give Hope – Together We Can Save Lives”.

The day aimed to raise public awareness, encourage regular blood donation, and recognise institutions and partners whose support has helped sustain the country’s blood supply system.

It was in collaboration with the Rotary Clubs of Accra and Accra Ridge, and other donor partners.

The Rotary-sponsored national campaign, initiated in 2000, has mobilised tens of thousands of young donors and contributed to saving countless lives.

Increase voluntary blood donation

The Chief Executive Officer of NBS, Dr Shirley Owusu-Ofori, called for increased voluntary blood donation in the country, stressing that many lives depend on the nation’s ability to ensure safe and adequate blood supplies throughout the year.

She said the annual event remains one of the most important on the service’s calendar, providing a moment to honour voluntary and paid donors whose contributions, “offer the most precious gift of all – the gift of life.”

Dr Owusu-Ofori said safe blood was fundamental to national healthcare delivery and should be regarded as a human right rather than a medical luxury.

“Evidence shows that regular voluntary and paid donors form the safest and most reliable source of blood with the lowest risk of transfusion-transmissible infections. Yet our national situation remains challenging,” she added.

She stated that Ghana currently achieves just six donations per 1,000 people, far below the World Health Organisation’s recommended minimum of 10.

Additionally, only 40 per cent of national blood supplies come from voluntary donors, with just 36 per cent of those giving regularly.

“The remaining 50 per cent arrive from family replacement donations, a practice that often masks compensated donation and compromises both adequacy and safety.”

“Blood is perishable, with whole blood lasting only 25 days,” she added.
Dr Owusu-Ofori said the service had set a national target of 308,000 units annually, adding that it is attainable if one to two per cent of Ghanaians donated regularly.

Strengthen blood services

The Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, on behalf of the Vice-President, said the ministry was committed to strengthening the country’s blood transfusion services.

She said the ministry would enhance infrastructure, logistics and equipment to ensure more efficient blood collection and equitable access at the regional and district levels.

Dr Ayensu-Danquah added that the ministry would improve transportation and distribution systems to ensure the timely delivery of blood, especially during emergencies.

“We are also reviewing ways to ease the financial burdens on families, including exploring measures that may reduce blood processing fees over time so that no Ghanaian is denied life-saving blood because of costs,” she said.

Commitment

The Country Representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Fiona Braka, reiterated its commitment to support Ghana to achieve a safe, sufficient and reliable national blood supply system.

She said voluntary blood donors were “lifelines” for mothers experiencing complications during childbirth, children with severe anaemia, accident victims, and patients undergoing major surgery.