By Enock Akonnor (Managing Editor) enockakonnor2013@gmail.com
The MTN Ghana Foundation has reinforced its commitment to healthcare delivery with a large-scale blood donation exercise at Kumasi Anglican Senior High School (KASS), held as part of this year’s Valentine’s Day activities.
The February 13, 2026 exercise forms part of the Foundation’s flagship “Save A Life” campaign, an initiative that has been running for more than 15 years in collaboration with the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) Blood Bank and other partners across the country.
Northern Sector Manager of MTN Ghana, Nii Adotey Mingle, said the annual Valentine’s Day blood drive remains one of the organisation’s most impactful health interventions.
“The most precious gift you can give a person is life, and this Valentine’s Day, blood is the ultimate gift,” he said, explaining that the initiative seeks to encourage voluntary blood donation, particularly among the youth.
According to Mr. Mingle, the Foundation has set a national target of 7,000 units of blood this year, with both the Northern and Southern sectors aiming to mobilise about 3,500 units each.
Over the years, he noted, the campaign has consistently met or exceeded its targets.
Medical personnel from KATH screened each donor at KASS, checking vital signs and overall health status before donation to ensure safety standards were met.
Donors were later provided with refreshment packs to aid recovery.
The blood collected will be supplied to KATH and other health facilities, including remote hospitals supported by Zipline services, helping to strengthen emergency response systems and routine healthcare delivery.
Dr. Lesley Osei, Head of the Transfusion Medicine Unit at KATH, emphasised the importance of sustained corporate support in stabilising the national blood supply.
“Our goal is to ensure blood is always available at KATH, so we do not have to make urgent appeals during accidents,” she stated.
Ghana’s blood collection index currently stands at 5.8 units per 1,000 people, below the World Health Organization’s recommended minimum of 10 units per 1,000. With voluntary donations accounting for only a fraction of national demand, partnerships between healthcare institutions and corporate organisations remain critical.
For a donor like Christian Blankson, the exercise was more than symbolic. Sharing a personal story of loss, he said donating blood offered him an opportunity to help others avoid similar tragedy.
Beyond KASS, the exercise was replicated the same day at Barekese and Jachie Pramso Senior High Schools, demonstrating the Foundation’s strategy of scaling impact through coordinated, nationwide engagement.
As Ghana continues to grapple with blood supply challenges, the MTN Foundation’s Valentine’s initiative highlights how corporate social responsibility can translate into tangible, life-saving outcomes.
Enock Akonnor is an experienced Ghanaian journalist, based in Kumasi and currently serves as the CEO and Managing Editor of www.leakyghana.com.
With a wealth of expertise built over many years in the media industry, he has earned a solid reputation as one of Ghana’s most sought-after journalists.
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✉️ enockakonnor2013@gmail.com
