As part of its Valentine’s Day celebrations, MTN Ghana has organized a major blood donation exercise at Kumasi Anglican Secondary School (KASS), reaffirming its longstanding commitment to supporting national healthcare delivery.
The exercise, held on the school’s campus, saw scores of students voluntarily donate blood to support the national blood bank. In appreciation of their generosity, MTN Ghana provided care packages to help donors replenish their strength after the exercise.
Addressing participants, the Northern Sector Manager of MTN Ghana, Nii Adotey Mingle, underscored the importance of the initiative, describing blood donation as one of the most meaningful expressions of love.
“The most precious gift you can give a person is life, and this Valentine’s Day, blood is the ultimate gift,” he stated.
Mr. Mingle explained that for over 15 years, MTN Ghana has collaborated with corporate partners and the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) Blood Bank to organize nationwide blood donation drives. He noted that the initiative has grown into a flagship annual campaign aimed at bridging Ghana’s blood supply deficit.
According to him, the MTN Ghana Foundation sets an ambitious annual target of 7,000 units of blood, a goal the organization often exceeds. This year, he disclosed, both the Northern and Southern sectors are each aiming to collect approximately 3,500 units to meet the overall target.
Medical personnel from KATH carefully screened each donor prior to donation, checking vital signs and assessing overall health to ensure the safety and suitability of participants. The collected blood will not only support patients at KATH but will also be distributed to Zipline and other satellite hospitals in remote communities, highlighting the nationwide impact of the exercise.
Dr. Lesley Osei, Head of the Transfusion Medicine Unit at KATH, emphasized the critical importance of sustained blood donation campaigns in maintaining a reliable blood supply for both emergencies and routine medical procedures.
“Our goal is to ensure blood is always available at KATH, so we do not have to make urgent appeals during accidents,” she said, stressing that consistent voluntary donations are key to saving lives.
One of the student donors, Christian Blankson, shared an emotional account of his motivation for participating in the exercise. He revealed that his late mother once required blood but was unable to access it in time.
“Many people need blood, and it is very expensive. My mother once needed blood to survive but didn’t get it, and she passed away. Donating blood may not help today, but it could save a life tomorrow,” he recounted.
Established in November 2007, the MTN Ghana Foundation operates under three key pillars—health, education, and economic empowerment. The Valentine’s blood donation exercise forms part of its flagship “Save A Life” campaign, which has become one of the most recognized corporate-led health interventions in the country.
Ghana’s blood collection index currently stands at 5.8 units per 1,000 people, significantly below the World Health Organization’s recommended minimum of 10 units per 1,000 population. In 2022, voluntary blood donations accounted for only 25 percent of the national requirement, making sustained initiatives such as MTN’s annual drive critical to improving the country’s blood reserves.
This year’s Valentine’s Day outreach once again served as a powerful reminder that love can be demonstrated not only through words and gifts but through acts that directly save lives. Through its continued partnership with healthcare institutions and schools, MTN Ghana is reinforcing the message that donating blood remains one of the most impactful ways individuals can contribute to their communities.
