By Samira Larbie, GNA
Accra, July 27, GNA – The Alliance for Reproductive Health Rights (ARHR) has organised a blood donation exercise in three senior high schools to help address blood shortages and support efforts to reduce maternal deaths.
The campaign sought to encourage voluntary blood donation among young people and strengthen the national blood supply for emergency healthcare.
Nana Nyarko Konadu, Programme Officer of ARHR, said the initiative was aimed at increasing blood donations to support emergency obstetric care, trauma cases, surgeries and the treatment of children with severe anaemia.
She said persistent shortages in the country’s blood supply continued to affect healthcare delivery, particularly in emergency situations.
“Timely access to safe blood can make the difference between life and death for women experiencing childbirth complications,” she said.
The exercise was conducted simultaneously at St Margaret Mary Senior High School, Accra Technical Training Centre (ATTC) and Accra Wesley Girls’ High School.
According to the National Blood Service, Ghana requires about 300,000 units of blood annually, but collections frequently fall below the national requirement.
Nana Nyarko said the campaign was intended to promote a culture of voluntary blood donation among young people and contribute to a stronger national blood reserve.
The World Health Organization estimates that 287,000 women died from pregnancy- and childbirth-related causes globally in 2020, with most of the deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
Firdaus Abubakar, a student of St Margaret Mary Senior High School, said she donated blood for the first time after her younger brother nearly lost his life because blood was unavailable.
Master Eugene Weapea Atamale, also a student of the school, told the Ghana News Agency that he volunteered to donate blood to encourage more young men to become regular donors.
The blood donation exercise formed part of activities commemorating ARHR’s 20 years of advocacy for reproductive health rights and equitable access to quality healthcare in Ghana.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
27 July 2026
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Reporter: Samira Larbie