The National Blood Service has commended the MTN Ghana Foundation and CalBank for their impactful collaboration in the 2026 Save-a-Life Blood Donation Exercise, which resulted in the collection of 7,020 units of blood nationwide—exceeding the initial 7,000-unit target.
The nationwide campaign, held on Friday, February 13, 2026, was aimed at strengthening the country’s blood reserves and supporting hospitals across all 16 regions of Ghana. A total of 47 designated donation centres were activated nationwide. In Accra, major collection hubs 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, described the partnership as a major boost to Ghana’s healthcare delivery system. She applauded the sustained commitment of the MTN Ghana Foundation and expressed appreciation for its collaboration with CalBank.
“Our vision is to establish a system built entirely upon voluntary blood donation, as regular voluntary donors represent the safest and most reliable blood supply. I am genuinely gratified by the MTN Ghana Foundation’s continued dedication over the years to advancing the internationally recognised gold standard in blood donation,” she stated.
Reflecting on the significance of the exercise, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, underscored the critical importance of maintaining a reliable blood supply for national health security.
“We all understand that a dependable 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.
While celebrating the achievement of surpassing the 7,000-unit benchmark, Mr. Blewett challenged MTN Ghana customers and the wider public to set an even more ambitious goal of 10,000 units in subsequent editions of the campaign. He expressed confidence that, through strengthened partnerships and increased voluntary participation, this target is well within reach.
Chief Executive Officer of CalBank, Carl Asem, described the collaboration as a reflection of shared corporate values and a demonstration of responsible private sector leadership.
“This is not merely corporate social responsibility. We are actively contributing to the strengthening of Ghana’s public health infrastructure. CalBank is fully committed to expanding this initiative into an even more impactful annual intervention,” he stated.
Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer at MTN Ghana, Adwoa Wiafe, highlighted the significance of the inaugural partnership between the two institutions. She commended staff volunteers and participating Ghanaians whose enthusiasm and dedication were instrumental in achieving and 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 deepening corporate collaborations to promote voluntary blood donation across the country. By strengthening Ghana’s national blood reserves through collective action and generosity, the Foundation aims to ensure that more lives are saved nationwide.
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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.
