Compassion International Ghana mobilise blood for National Blood Bank to mark 20th anniversary
Compassion International Ghana (CIGH), a non-profit organisation in collaboration with the National Blood Service, has embarked on a blood donation exercise to support the national blood bank.
The one-day exercise held on Saturday, May 24, formed part of activities to mark the 20th anniversary of the CIGH and geared towards contributing to national development in the areas of health and education.
39 clusters of the CIGH each in the regions held the exercise within their respective jurisdiction, while, for instance, at the Head Office on the Madina-Atomic Road, over 100 participants trooped in to donate pints of blood.
Blessing to others
National Director of CIGH, Mr Kobina Yeboah Okyere stated that after 20 years of operating in the country, the organization decided to host the blood donation event "to be a blessing to those who may need it in the future."
He explained that CIGH was founded on the principles of empathy, commitment, and care for children—values that inspired the initiative, as it reflects the true essence of the organization’s mission.
"Over the years we have grown stronger, reached farther, and touched countless lives. Through this blood donation exercise, we continue that legacy of care by supporting our hospitais, emergency services, and patients in need," he said.
"Blood is life. It cannot be manufactured, but it can be donated. Every pint given today could mean the difference between life and death for someone in urgent need."
He continued: "As we mark this significant milestone in our journey, we wanted to do something that neflects the essence of who we are. This is not just a celebration, it is an opportunity to serve. The blood donation drive is one of the many ways we aim to be a blessing to our community and nation."
Supporting National Blood Service
Mr Okyere added that the exercise was also meant support the blood bank of the National Blood Service and help save the lives of many who will need blood.
He expressed appreciation to their partners as well as the donors for their selfless act of giving blood to save lives.
"I would like to sincerely thank each one of you who came out today to donate. Your selfless act may go unnoticed by many, but it is invaluable to those who need it most, You are heroes in the quietest yet most powerful way," he said.
"To our partners, including the National Blood Service and all our church partners in Greater Accra and across the country, thank you for journeying with us and for your support in making this event a success."
Activities
He mentioned that other activities lined-up to mark the 20th anniversary include the Thriving Child Seminar, Worship and Prayer Night and a recreation day for staff to relax, have fun and reflect.
"Let us use this 20th anniversary not only to reflect on how far we have come but also to look ahead with renewed purpose. Together, let us continue to build a future of impact as we remain committed to our mission of releasing children from poverty in Jesus name," he added.
Partnership
For his part, Donor Recruitment Officer at the Greater Accra Regional Blood Centre of the National Blood Service, Sidney King expressed gratitude for the partnership with the CIGH adding it will boost their ability to collect more blood to save lives.
"For us, this is a very welcome partnership in that we, as a blood service, have for a while now not been able to reach our intended target of about 350,000 units of blood annually. And so, we welcome all sorts of partnerships, this kind of partnerships, in a way that it boosts our ability to collect so that we can serve other people who need it," he said.
"For example, pregnant women who have complications, accident victims, people who are going through surgeries, some very severe cases of anemia, some sickle cell individuals, all these groups of people, they need the blood. So, as many as we can get, we'll be happy. Any other information you want to put across? It would just be a call to action," he said.
He called on other NGOs and corporate bodies to come on board to donate blood to help reach their intended targets.
"And so, I would like to encourage all those who are eligible to give so that other people can live. What's the name of your organization? Greater Accra Regional Blood Center of the National Blood Service," he stressed.
Donors
In an interview, two of the donors, David Jangmah Tawiah and Benjamin Ntiamoah expressed joy for the opportunity to help save lives adding that as social beings and humanitarians, it was important to make sure that other humans are safe.
They each called on others to participate in the exercise whenever they get the opportunity.
