News
MTN Ghana Foundation, Regional Blood Bank organise blood donation exercise
The MTN Ghana Foundation, in partnership with the Eastern Regional Blood Bank, has organised the annual blood donation exercise to mark the Valentine’s Day celebration.
The exercise took place at the Manya Krobo Senior High School in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality, and was on the theme: ‘Safe blood saves lives.’
The student donors were taken through a health checklist, including age, blood level, and weight to ensure health safety before donation, and after which they were provided with milk, milo, and other foods to replenish their blood.
Mr Ransford Gyan, the MTN Ghana Sales Manager for Eastern, Volta, and Oti regions, told the Ghana News Agency that the foundation had a target of about 6000 people partaking in the blood donation exercise across the 16 regions.
“Our belief is that we will get the target set this year to assist in easing the country’s blood shortage. Donating blood is a benevolent act of solidarity, why don’t you join the effort and help save lives,” he quizzed.
He said at the initial stage of the blood donation exercise introduced by the MTN Ghana Foundation, it was limited to MTN staff but now opened up to the society.
Ms Philomina Quayson, Eastern Regional Blood Bank Donor Organiser at the Regional Hospital, said, “Blood is an essential commodity in the hospital because it helps patients who have accidents, surgeries, or medical conditions.
So, I encourage individuals to save lives by visiting any government hospitals to donate blood.”
She said persons 17 years and above, who are free from health conditions such as sickle cell and hypertension could donate.
She urged the public to donate blood as it was good and safe.
Master Kingsley Nartey, a student of Manya Krobo Senior High School, said, “Today is my first time to participate in this exercise and I was panicking but after going through the processes, I realised it was not painful and scary.” —GNA
Parliament of Ghana has passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, widely known as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill.
The bill was passed after it was read for the third time on the floor of Parliament.
The legislation seeks to criminalise activities related to LGBTQ practices in Ghana.
However, lawmakers introduced amendments to exempt some professionals from punishment under the law.
The exemptions cover legal practitioners, media professionals and health workers who provide services to persons identified as LGBTQ.
During proceedings in Parliament, the First Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Bernard Ahiafor who was in the chair
announced that the bill had been duly read for the third time and passed.
Supporters of the bill say it is intended to promote what they describe as Ghanaian family values and cultural norms.
The proposed law has generated public debate both within Ghana and internationally, with some groups supporting it while others have raised concerns about human rights and freedoms.
The bill is expected to go through the necessary constitutional processes before it can take effect as law after the President’s assent.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, says the shift system in public schools is not a national policy and has largely been phased out across the country.
Responding to questions on the floor of Parliament today, Mr. Iddrisu explained that the shift system was introduced as a temporary measure to address overcrowding and inadequate infrastructure in some schools.
According to him, the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) are continuing efforts to eliminate the system completely through the construction of additional classroom blocks at the basic school level.
He stated that government remains committed to improving teaching and learning conditions in schools across the country.
The Education Minister disclosed that government has allocated GH¢230 million in the 2025 GETFund distribution formula for the procurement of school furniture for both basic and Senior High Schools nationwide.
According to him, the investment forms part of measures to ensure that students have access to a better learning environment.
Mr. Iddrisu further highlighted the importance of the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) policy, which was introduced in 1996 to provide every Ghanaian child with free and compulsory basic education.
He said the policy continues to play a major role in reducing illiteracy and promoting equal access to quality education across the country.
The Minister addressed concerns raised by the University Teachers Association of Ghana over issues in the tertiary education sector.
According to him, the Ministry of Education, through the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, has taken the necessary steps to maintain industrial harmony in tertiary institutions.
He assured Parliament that government would continue to engage stakeholders in the education sector to ensure stability and improved educational outcomes.
By: Jacob Aggrey
