Winneba: The MTN Ghana Foundation, in collaboration with the Trauma and Specialist Hospital and the University of Education North Campus, organized a blood donation exercise to commemorate its fourteenth anniversary and Valentine's Day. The event, themed 'Safe Blood Saves Lives,' was held at the Winneba National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) and the University of Education (UEW), North Campus in the Effutu Municipality.
According to Ghana News Agency, participants, including students and voluntary donors, underwent a health checklist to ensure their eligibility for donation, focusing on age, blood level, and weight. After donating, they were provided with milk, milo, and other food items to help replenish their energy.
Mr. Prince Owusu Nyarko, MTN Ghana's Western and Central Manager, highlighted the significance of blood donation as a gesture of solidarity and hope. He emphasized that the Foundation aimed to help restock blood banks across the country, initially involving MTN staff and later extending to the wider community. Blood is a critical resource for hospitals, assisting accident victims, surgical patients, expectant mothers, and others.
The choice of Valentine's Day for the exercise underscored the theme of love and giving. This year, the initiative was conducted at 42 centers across all 16 regions of Ghana, with a target of collecting 6,100 units of blood. Mr. Nyarko expressed optimism about reaching this target to contribute to saving lives.
Participants at the Winneba centers shared their experiences, noting initial apprehensions which were dispelled after going through the donation process. They encouraged others to donate blood at hospitals to support life-saving efforts.
