The Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) Blood Bank has described the timing of MTN Ghana Foundation’s 2026 “Save A Life” blood donation campaign as critical to easing chronic shortages, particularly ahead of the fasting period.
“We meet only about 30 percent of our annual blood demand,” said Ziblim Adam, Chief Blood Donor Organiser at TTH. “The rest depends on family replacement, which we do not encourage. It is through voluntary programmes like this that we save lives.”
Speaking to Kumasimail.com during the exercise on Friday, February 13, Mr. Adam said the campaign has become a lifeline for the hospital and the wider northern sector, which includes Upper East, Upper West and Krachi in the Oti Region.
“For the past three or more years, this programme has coincided with the fasting period, during which we record some of the highest blood shortages,” he explained. “It becomes difficult to convince people to donate because it is not advisable to donate on an empty stomach. So the timing of this programme is excellent for the hospital.”
At the close of activities in the Northern Region, the TTH Blood Bank had collected 273 units from Tamale Senior High School (Tamasco), 200 units from Tamale Islamic Senior High School and 52 units from Bimbilla Senior High School — a total of 525 units in one day. Bimbilla SHS is expected to continue the exercise on Saturday.
Mr. Adam stressed that blood remains irreplaceable in medical care. “Blood is not something you can buy from a pharmacy or chemical shop. Until science finds a replacement, we must rely on voluntary donation,” he said.
He also addressed public misconceptions about blood donation, describing trust issues as a major barrier in the region.
“Some people believe that when they donate their blood, we sell it or use it for rituals. That is not true,” he said. “What patients pay is a processing fee for testing and screening. We do not sell blood.”
According to him, one unit of blood can save up to three lives, especially among pregnant women, accident victims and children who frequently require transfusions. He noted that rare blood groups, particularly negative types, remain difficult to source, with only about five percent of donations falling into that category.
The Northern Regional exercise forms part of MTN Ghana Foundation’s nationwide target of 7,000 units in a single day under the 2026 edition of the annual “Save A Life” campaign, held in partnership with Cal Bank Ghana.
Richard Asamane, Territory Sales Controller for MTN Ghana in the Northern Region, said the campaign has been running for 15 years and has collected 26,620 units of blood nationwide to support healthcare delivery.
“The most effective way to mobilise blood to support regional blood banks and the healthcare delivery system is through mass donation exercises,” he said. “That is what MTN, through the MTN Ghana Foundation, has consistently done over the years.”
He described this year’s edition as special, as it precedes MTN’s 30th anniversary celebrations in Ghana.
“MTN is not just a telecommunications company; we have grown to become a strategic partner in Ghana’s development,” he said. “Donating blood may seem simple, but it represents the highest form of compassion because your pint of blood may save someone’s life.”
In the Northern Region, MTN targeted 640 units across three centres: Tamasco, Tamale Islamic SHS and Bimbilla SHS.
At Tamasco, students responded strongly to the call. Jamil Anta, the school’s Health Prefect, said he returned this year determined to donate after being turned away last year due to low blood levels.
“Last year, I came to donate, but they said my blood level was low. I am back again today because I really want to help the needy,” he said.
He encouraged others to embrace voluntary donation.
“It is very important in our society. If you donate and later need blood yourself, you are given a donor card and can receive blood free of charge. I urge everyone to try and donate — maybe once or as many times as possible.”
With 525 units already mobilised in the Northern Region and additional collections expected from Bimbilla SHS, health officials say the campaign will significantly ease pressure on blood stocks as the fasting season approaches.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
