In a pioneering initiative to combat critical blood shortages, the Transfusion Medicine Unit of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) has launched an ambitious blood donation campaign targeting senior high schools across the Ashanti Region.
Kicking off at T.I Ahmadiyya Senior High School in Kumasi to coincide with World Blood Donor Day, the campaign seeks to harness the energy and civic spirit of young Ghanaians to replenish the hospital’s dwindling blood bank and build a culture of voluntary donation for the future.
Christian Oppong Mensah, Head of Blood Donor Recruitment at KATH, emphasized the strategic role of youth in securing a steady and safe blood supply. “Young people are vital partners in our efforts—not only can they meet urgent medical needs today, but they are the future custodians of a compassionate society,” he said.
Themed “Give Blood, Give Hope, Together We Save Lives,” this year’s World Blood Donor Day serves as both a heartfelt thank you to existing donors and a rallying call for increased participation.
With KATH’s blood bank supplying 12 out of Ghana’s 16 regions and using about 80 units daily, the need for consistent donations is urgent. Oppong Mensah revealed the hospital requires at least 1,000 units to meet patient needs, from mothers facing childbirth complications to victims of accidents.
“Blood donation is safe and actually beneficial to donors,” he reassured the public, urging students and community members to step forward.
Master Ibrahim Muhammed, a two-time donor from T.I Ahmadiyya, echoed this call: “Donating blood is a simple act that could save your own family member one day. I encourage all my fellow students to join this life-saving effort.”
The campaign will extend to other schools including Toase Senior High School and Kumasi Academy, aiming to create a lasting legacy of youth-led health activism and community solidarity in Ghana.
