The National Blood Service has commended the MTN Ghana Foundation and CalBank for what it described as a game-changing partnership during the 2026 Save-a-Life Blood Donation Exercise, which culminated in the collection of 7,020 units of blood nationwide, exceeding the campaign’s 7,000-unit target.
The nationwide blood donation drive, organised to strengthen Ghana’s national blood reserves and support regional hospitals across all 16 regions, was held on Friday, February 13, 2026. A total of 47 designated donation centres were activated across the country. In Accra, major collection points included MTN House, the CalBank Head Office, and the MobileMoney LTD Office at the Stanchart Building.
Chief Executive Officer of the National Blood Service, Shirley Phyllis Owusu-Ofori, praised MTN’s unwavering support over the years and expressed appreciation for the Foundation’s partnership with CalBank, noting that sustained corporate collaboration remains vital to building a reliable and safe blood supply system in Ghana.
“Our vision is to create a system built entirely upon voluntary blood donation, since regular voluntary donors represent the safest and most reliable blood supply. I am genuinely gratified by the MTN Ghana Foundation’s ongoing dedication to advancing the internationally recognised gold standard in blood donation,” she stated.
The Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, highlighted the critical importance of maintaining adequate blood reserves for effective healthcare delivery and national emergency preparedness.
“We all understand that a reliable blood supply is essential for managing emergencies, disaster preparedness and maintaining high standards of healthcare. Even routine medical procedures can become hazardous if blood is not readily available,” he remarked.
Although the campaign surpassed its original 7,000-unit goal, Mr. Blewett challenged MTN Ghana customers and the wider Ghanaian public to aim higher in future drives. He encouraged stakeholders to work towards achieving 10,000 units in subsequent campaigns, expressing confidence that strengthened partnerships and increased voluntary participation would make this target attainable.
Chief Executive Officer of CalBank, Carl Asem, described the collaboration as a natural alignment of shared institutional values and a demonstration of responsible corporate leadership.
“This initiative is not just corporate social responsibility. We are actively contributing to the strengthening of Ghana’s public health infrastructure. CalBank remains fully committed to growing this initiative into an even more impactful annual intervention,” he affirmed.
Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer at MTN Ghana, Adwoa Wiafe, emphasised the significance of the inaugural partnership between the institutions. She commended staff volunteers and participating Ghanaians whose commitment and enthusiasm were pivotal in exceeding the campaign’s target.
“We are all acutely aware of the urgent need for blood in hospitals. Donating blood can save a life tomorrow—perhaps even your own or that of someone close to you. Meaningful change is seldom achieved in isolation, and our partnership with CalBank truly made a tangible difference. It is this spirit of unity and collaboration that forms the foundation of a thriving nation,” she concluded.
The MTN Ghana Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening corporate collaborations to promote voluntary blood donation nationwide, ensuring that Ghana’s national blood reserves remain robust and capable of saving more lives through collective action and generosity.
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Media Contacts
Adwoa Wiafe
Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer
Efua Falconer
Acting Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
Email: MTNGhana.MediaOffice@mtn.com
About MTN Ghana Foundation
Established in November 2007, the MTN Ghana Foundation serves as the corporate social investment arm of MTN Ghana, focusing on Health, Education and Economic Empowerment. Since its inception, the Foundation has undertaken 178 major projects nationwide, positively impacting communities across Ghana.
For more information, visit www.mtn.com.gh/about-mtn/community/mtn-ghana-foundation.
