A 9-member Volunteer group from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on Friday, March 3, 2023, paid a familiarization visit to the Chief Executive Officer and Management of the National Blood Service (NBS)

The visit, led by the Health Advisor at JICA, Ms. Toyomi Wansor was to deepen the partnership between JICA and the National Blood Service.

The Volunteers,who were Health workers, are in the country to support JICA’s health projects in local communities, across the 16 regions of Ghana.

The Chief Executive Officer of the National Blood Service, Dr Shirley Owusu-Ofori in her welcome address, expressed her gratitude to the volunteers for the visit and called on the leadership of the JICA team to ensure the growth and sustainability of the partnership between the two organizations.

As part of the visit, the volunteers had the opportunity to tour the facility at the NBS, to gain in-depth knowledge on the operations and activities of the Blood Service.

Mr. Prince Ernest Asante, Head of Administration and Support Services, at the National Blood Service presented the status of the NBS to the team.

Six JICA volunteers donated blood willingly to augment the stock level at the Blood Service.

Ms. Toyomi Wansor, Health Advisor at JICA and leader of the volunteer group was grateful to the Management of NBS for the warm reception accorded her team and assured the management of NBS of her office’s readiness to work continuously in partnership with the NBS. She also suggested the possibility of an exchange programme between JICA and NBS in future.