National Blood Service on Monday 28 November 2022 commemorated the 22nd National Blood Donor Day with a colourful durbar at the forecourt of the NBS. The well attended ceremony was to thank and show appreciation to all regular voluntary unpaid blood donors, create awareness about the urgent need to achieve 100% voluntary unpaid blood donation in ensuring sustainable supply of adequate blood and blood products as well as to encourage all healthy living Ghanaians to join in the voluntary service by either donating blood at least twice in a year, or provide support in cash or kind if they cannot donate due to one reason or the other. The occasion was also used to launch the the annual Blood Donation Campaign for 2023.
The annual National Blood Donor Day cerebration is organized in partnership with the Rotary Clubs of Accra and Accra Ridge, who are mainly sponsors of the prize items for all award winners on the day.
It was under the theme: Blood donation is an act of solidarity, with the slogan – join the efforts and save lives.
In her welcome address to the gathering, the CEO of the National Blood Service, Dr. Shirley Owusu Ofori expressed her gratitude to all voluntary blood donors and stakeholders for supporting the blood service over the years. She acknowledged that the Service could not have achieved any success without the support of all voluntary blood donors, and charged corporate Ghana to increase support for NBS activities.
Chairman of the occasion, veteran lawyer and past District Governor of Rotary Ghana, Mr. Sam Okudzeto, admonished students and the general public to continue giving blood on regular basis in order to ensure regular availability of blood at all times.
A representative of the Health Minister, Dr. Ignatius Abowini Nchor in a speech stated that government is working diligently to ensure the National Blood Service Board is duly constituted. He also charged the public and the Ministries, Departments and Agencies to regularly organize blood donation exercises to augment blood stock level at the nation’s blood banks.
The ceremony was attended by members of the Rotary Clubs of Accra and Accra Ridge, representatives of corporate Ghana, the Police Central Band and some selected second cycle schools.
Ghanata Senior High School gave a spectacular drama performance, to educate the public about the need to donate blood to save lives during emergency situations.
In all, nine categories of awards were given to deserving persons. These are Regional Best Donors, National Best Donors, Best Female and Male donors as well as a Special award.
