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Change negative perception: Blood donation saves lives – Methodist Bishop
Rt Rev Samuel Ofori-Akyea Tema Bishop for the Tema Diocese
Usually when the subject of voluntary blood donation comes up, some people are not enthused about it because of some misconceptions they may have.
This, over the years, has made it challenging for individuals or groups who are passionate about blood donation to help save lives.
At the 26th annual synod of the Methodist Church of Ghana of the Tema Diocese held at the Immanuel Methodist Society, Tema, the Diocesan Bishop, Rt Rev Samuel Ofori-Akyea called on the public to be receptive to the drive for blood donation and officials engaged in it.
“Don’t frown at them” he told the congregation because in his opinion it is a worthy cause.
The Diocesan Bishop said donating blood helped to save live which could be that of the donor’s children, parents or even the donor himself subsequently when he or she is also in need.
He said health personnel and volunteers of teams who help to donate blood must be appreciated and accepted because their service was important to humanity so they should be commended and not given cold reception.
Rt Rev Ofori-Akyea encouraged the church members and the public at large who qualify to give blood to always avail themselves when the opportunity presents itself because the blood helps to stock various blood banks for the use of church members and the public at large.
Speaking on the theme: “discipleship; living the transformed life in Jesus” with focus on revival, transformation and growth of the church on the sidelines with the media, he called on the public to be selfless in their service to humanity and live good Christian lives worthy of emulation.
A member of the Tema Diocese Blood Donation Team Anthony Sam Anoom said the Diocese had been engaged in the drive for volunteers to donate blood for the past 10 years.
He said the exercise had helped many church members and their families during emergencies and times of distress.
He said plans were in place to get as many churches as possible under the Diocese to contribute in getting as much blood as possible for the Tema General Hospital which was usually the first port of call for their members as well as the Greater Accra Regional Hospital and the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema
The Dzidula Pink Foundation, a new organisation dedicated to cancer awareness, early detection, and patient support, has been officially launched in Accra, with a passionate call for national commitment to fighting the disease. The launch event, held last week Friday, carried the theme: “Beyond the diagnosis: A future of restoration, care and courage.”
Speaking at the event, Madam Abena Brigidi, founder and CEO of Nimed Capital Limited, emphasised that cancer remains one of the most devastating health challenges facing families across the country. “Cancer does not discriminate—it affects mothers, fathers, daughters, and sons. It drains families emotionally and financially, and behind every statistic is a human story and a future suddenly thrown into uncertainty,” she said.
Sharing her personal encounters with cancer, having lost both her husband and father to the disease, Madam Brigidi highlighted the emotional, financial, and physical scars left behind. “I stand here not just as a speaker, but as a witness to what cancer can take away,” she stated. “I have watched loved ones fight bravely, and I have felt the deep pain that loss leaves behind.”
She stressed that awareness and early detection are critical to reducing deaths, noting that many Ghanaians still lack access to proper screening, reliable information, and adequate treatment. She appealed to healthcare professionals, corporate institutions, policymakers, the media, and the general public to join hands in the fight. “Early detection saves lives. Your support today can lead to someone’s healing tomorrow,” she said.
Madam Brigidi further called for collective responsibility to sustain the foundation’s mission. “To our medical professionals, we need your expertise. To corporate partners, your resources. To the media, your voice. To policymakers, your support. And to the public, your compassion,” she urged. She also insisted that breast cancer awareness should not be limited to annual campaigns, saying, “Breast cancer awareness must not be seasonal.”
Mrs Diana Fafa Gozo, founder of the Dzidula Pink Foundation, shared her own cancer journey, describing the shock of diagnosis, the fear that followed, and the difficult path through treatment. Her experience transformed her pain into purpose and inspired her to create a foundation to ensure no cancer patient walks alone.
Mrs Gozo explained that many patients struggle not only with treatment costs but also with emotional resilience. She outlined the foundation’s initiatives, which include awareness and early detection campaigns, patient support funds, community outreach, and survival support circles. “This foundation is my offering of gratitude, courage, and compassion and a reminder that no one should walk the cancer journey alone,” she concluded.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) says it will deploy teams of Public Health Officers, members of its Sanitation Taskforce, and labourers, including sweepers and janitors, across all sub-metros to support the third National Sanitation Day exercise.
It explained that these teams will be equipped with waste collection trucks, tippers, and other tools to help with desilting, refuse collection, and transporting waste to approved disposal sites.
The AMA reminded residents that failing to comply with the sanitation directive or refusing to participate in communal labour is an offence.
It said offenders risk a fine of up to 100 penalty units, imprisonment between 30 days and six months, or both, with repeat offenders liable to additional daily penalties.
It urged all residents, traders, transport operators, market women, shop owners, landlords, tenants, and businesses to actively participate in the exercise.
The AMA said it counts on everyone’s collective responsibility to keep Accra clean, liveable, and resilient, especially as the city approaches Christmas and the New Year.
By: Jacob Aggrey
