To mark World Blood Donor Day 2025, the National Blood Service, supported by Zipline, the world’s largest autonomous logistics system, WHO, GOIL, MTN and the National Insurance Commission held a commemorative event in Accra to honour organisations that have consistently supported blood collection efforts in the country.
There were also events at three selected senior high schools in the Ashanti region to honour their commitment to supporting NBS on blood collection.
Over the past few years, senior high schools in the country have played a vital role in increasing access to safe blood through voluntary donation campaigns. These school-based drives have not only contributed significantly to meeting regional supply targets but have also helped instil lifelong values of civic responsibility and altruism among students.
World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) is observed globally on June 14 each year to recognise and celebrate the critical contributions of voluntary, unpaid blood donors. It also serves as a call to action to ensure safe, accessible and sufficient blood supply systems worldwide. This year’s theme, “Give blood, give hope – together we can save lives,” marks two decades of global efforts to promote voluntary blood donation and build stronger national blood systems.
In Ghana, the National Blood Service (NBS) continues to make improvements in blood logistics and public awareness through its headquarters in Accra and its 4 regional centres – Northern Regional Blood Centre in Tamale, Ashanti Regional Blood Centre in Kumasi, Southern Regional Blood Centre in Accra and the Ho Teaching Hospital in Ho. Despite these efforts, Ghana still faces notable challenges in meeting its national blood needs.
Since its inception in 2019, Zipline Ghana has played a vital role in strengthening Ghana’s blood supply chain by using instant logistics to deliver blood products quickly and reliably, especially to hard-to-reach areas as well as supporting the NBS’ efforts to improve blood collection. From 2019, Zipline has supported the NBS with over GHC 500,000, which has gone towards joint blood drives and training for health professionals. Zipline has also delivered over 19,000 units of blood using its instant drone deliveries to patients across the country.
Dr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh – The Minister of Health expressed that universal access to safe blood is not only essential but urgent. While commending the dedication of the National Blood Service, he emphasized that access to safe blood remains a critical challenge, despite notable global progress. He also noted that the issue of blood processing fees is currently before Parliament for consideration, with the aim of easing the financial burden on patients. Additionally, he encouraged all government agencies to organize at least two blood drives per year to help strengthen the national blood supply.
Dr. Shirley Owusu Ofori, CEO – National Blood Service, said “Zipline’s drone logistics network, in collaboration with the NBS, affords the timely delivery of blood and components, hence improving access and availability to remote and underserved areas of Ghana.”
Daniel Kweku Merki, Head of Zipline Ghana, added “We are proud to support the National Blood Service in its mission to save lives – not only through our deliveries, but also by helping build a culture of voluntary blood donation across the country. Celebrating our most committed donors is a powerful reminder of the everyday heroes making a difference.”
