By: Alberta Asanawa Dwirah and Vanessa Acheampong
The Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, has announced major investments in infrastructure and logistics across regional and district blood centres as part of efforts to improve efficiency and expand equitable access to blood nationwide.
Speaking on behalf of Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang at the 25th National Blood Donor Day celebration and the launch of the 2026 Voluntary Blood Donation Campaign in Accra, Dr. Ayensu-Danquah said government is prioritizing reforms to ensure safe, quality and accessible blood for all Ghanaians.
Dr. Ayensu-Danquah added that the Ministry is reviewing measures to ease financial burdens on families, including exploring reductions in blood processing fees so cost does not hinder access to blood.
To improve emergency response, she said the Ministry is working with the National Blood Service to strengthen transportation and distribution systems, ensuring blood reaches facilities especially in hard-to-reach areas swiftly and reliably.
“These efforts align with the Ministry’s broader priorities, including strengthening emergency and critical care, improving system resilience, and expanding specialist services,” she noted.
A representative of the World Health Organization, Dr. Fiona Braka, revealed that Ghana needs about 300,000 units of blood annually but collects fewer than 200,000, leaving a critical shortfall of more than 100,000 units.
“These numbers represent mothers who bleed during childbirth, children with sickle cell disease, and accident victims who may not survive because blood was not available,” she said.
Dr. Braka reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting Ghana in achieving a safe, sufficient and sustainable blood supply in line with the WHO Global Strategy for Blood Safety.
This year’s top national donor, Andrews Akwesi Siaw, expressed gratitude and encouraged the public to support voluntary blood donation.
The event celebrated voluntary donors whose contributions support life-saving transfusion therapy.
Marking its Silver Jubilee, this year’s National Blood Donor Day highlighted inspiring stories from donors and patients under the theme: “Give Hope, Give Blood, Together We Can Save Lives.” The theme emphasizes voluntary blood donation as a symbol of unity, compassion and shared responsibility.
The celebration renewed calls for more donors particularly the youth to help close Ghana’s significant blood shortage.
