The first Governing Board for the National Blood Service (NBS) was inaugurated on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, by the Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Dormaa West, Hon. Kwaku Agyemang Manu.
The 13- Member Board is chaired by Mr. Robert Vasco Sarpong, a Human Resource professional and retired educationist. Other members of the Board include; Dr. Shirley Phyllis O. Owusu Ofori, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Blood Service, Dr. Amma Anima Benneh-Akwasi Kuma, a Haematologist of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Major Yaw Oko-Bensa-Agyekum, of the 37 Military Hospital Blood Bank and Dr. Ignatius Abowini Nchor Awinibuno, from the Ministry of Health.
The rest are Mad. Charity Yaa Damoah Owusu, Mr. Bright Amissah-Nyarko, Dr. Kwadwo Sarbeng, Dr. Lawrence Ofori-Boadu, Dr. Benjamin Tetteh Mensah, Mrs. Frances Naana Mullen Ansah, and Dr. Ebenezer Owusu-Asiamah. The new Board members took the Oath of Office and Secrecy in the Ministry of Health Auditorium, Accra.
In his inaugural speech, the Health Minister charged the Board to work closely with the NBS team in ensuring access to safe and adequate blood and blood products, making it timely for patients at all times. He also encouraged them to support the NBS, in ensuring accountability and appropriate procurement processes in order to overcome the many challenges already confronting the Service.
In response, the Chairman of the NBS Governing Board, Mr. Robert Vasco Sarpong expressed his members’ appreciation to the Minister and the government of Ghana for the confidence reposed in them and assured the Minister and Ghanaians of their readiness to work hard in support of the growth of the Blood Service.
Present at the ceremony were Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Mrs. Emma Ofori-Agyemang, Acting Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Dilys John-Teye, Head of the Southern Zonal Blood Centre, Mr. Prince Ernest Asante, Head of Administration and Support Services, Dr. Lucy Asamoah-Akuoko, Head of Research and Development, Madam Cynthia Boye, Head of Human Resources, Mr. Murtala Mohammed, Head of Finance, Mr. David Dodzi Ahiadzro, Head of Donor Recruitment and Mrs. Mavis Okyere, Head of Quality.
