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Ghana’s blood supply falls short of annual needs — NBS
Ghana faces a severe shortfall in blood supply, collecting far less than the 300,000 units required annually, according to the National Blood Service (NBS).
Despite a population exceeding 30 million, annual collections remain under 200,000 units, typically around 180,000.
Dr Dilys John-Teye, Acting Head of the Southern Zonal Blood Centre, revealed this during an interview with the Ghana News Agency at the launch of the 2025 Nationwide Blood Donation Campaign by the Melcom Care Foundation in Accra.
The exercise is scheduled for Wednesday, July 23, at four selected schools; Thursday, July 24, across Melcom stores nationwide; and Saturday, July 26, at Accra, Achimota, and West Hills Malls, as well as the Melcom Mall at Spintex.
Dr John-Teye said fewer than 50 per cent of donations are from voluntary, non-remunerated donors.
“Many patients in need of blood, especially mothers in labour, accident victims, and children with severe anaemia, do not receive transfusions on time simply because the blood is not available,” she lamented.
Dr John-Teye explained that ideally, one per cent of the population should donate annually, adding that the ongoing reliance on family replacement donations reflects the national deficit.
“The ideal situation is for blood to be available in hospitals at all times, ready to be administered when emergencies strike. But the reality is that hospitals often run low, and patients are left waiting or turned away,” she added.
Describing hospital-led blood collection as “unfortunate but necessary,” she urged healthy individuals aged 17 to 60 to donate regularly to ease the strain on the health system and reduce preventable deaths.
Dr Ramesh Sadhwani, Managing Director of the Melcom Group of Companies, said the firm has partnered with the National Blood Service for over a decade to promote voluntary donations.
The company’s contribution has grown from 434 units in 2013 to 2,184 in 2023.
“Melcom’s commitment goes beyond corporate social responsibility; it reflects our values of compassion, patriotism, and service to humanity,”
He called on individuals, corporate bodies, and institutions to support the initiative and help cultivate a culture of voluntary blood donation across the nation. –GNA
The Ghana Police Service has arrested three (3) suspects in connection with a case of possession of narcotic drugs and engaging in prohibited drug-related activities within the Accra metropolis.
On April 10, 2026, the Special Operations Assistant to the Inspector General of Police received intelligence that a group of individuals were planning to engage in the sale of suspected narcotic drugs at Dzorwulu in Accra.
A surveillance operation was mounted and on 11th April 2026, a Police team proceeded to the area and arrested two suspects, Bright Ayivor and Ifeanyi Ijeoba.
The suspects were found in possession of twenty-two (22) compressed substances suspected to be cocaine, which were being prepared for sale to a prospective buyer.
Further interrogation of the suspects led to the identification of a third suspect, Kwabena Botwe as a key figure in the drug trade.
A follow-up operation at Caprice resulted in his arrest after Police mounted surveillance during a planned transaction involving proceeds from the sale of the suspected drugs.
The suspect later led Police to his residence at Greda Estates, where a search resulted in the retrieval of an amount of GHc400,000 and a counting machine.
According to the police, during the operation, he attempted to bribe the arresting officers with an additional GHc420,000, which has been retained as evidence.
All the suspects are currently in Police custody assisting investigations and will be put before the court.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, yesterday April 14, 2026, promoted seven officers of the Tema Regional Police Command to their next ranks for their role in a recent anti-robbery operation in Tema.
The promotions were awarded to officers who responded to a robbery attack on a Mobile Money vendor at Tema Community 5 leading to the shooting of two robbery suspects and the recovery of a firearm, ammunition, and other exhibits.
The officers promoted are Chief Inspector Enoch Nartey Nuer, Inspector Gershon Dekpey; Inspector Prince Asante; No. 45881 Sergeant Lukman Mohammed; No. 49900 Sergeant Eugene Kuudouru; No. 54157 Corporal Jerome Akator; and No. 59882 Lance Corporal Jonathan Sewurah.
The IGP, together with members of the Police Management Board (POMAB), congratulated the officers on their promotion and commended them for their courage, discipline, and commitment to duty.
The IGP urged the officers to view their promotion as a call to higher responsibility and encouraged all personnel to continue working with dedication and professionalism in the service of the nation.
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