Friday, December 6 known as Farmers’ Day was a holiday set aside to celebrate the hardworking farmers in Ghana. Ordinarily, many people will throng beaches and recreational centres to have fun to while away the time.
Friday, December 6 known as Farmers’ Day was a holiday set aside to celebrate the hardworking farmers in Ghana. Ordinarily, many people will throng beaches and recreational centres to have fun to while away the time. This was not the case when the premises of the newly built headquarters of the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) was literally painted red with voluntary blood donors contributing to stock the blood bank ahead of the Christmas festivities.Dr. Justina K. Ansah, National Director of NBTS, Ghana (Middle)The Farmers’ Day blood donation event is an annual exercise to ensure that enough blood is available to patients who need it in emergency situations during the Christmas break. In a welcome address, Dr. Justina K. Ansah National Director of the NBTS said the rationale for the blood donation exercise was to improve the shortage of blood during the Christmas festive season. She expressed delight that many individuals and groups patronised the mass blood drive, which was dubbed “Accra Goes Red”.Groups came with their brass brands amidst dancing while MamaYe volunteers joined officials of the NBTS to conscientise the public about the need to donate blood to save mothers and babies during this season.Amanda Enusah aspires to be a nurseAmanda Enusah was the first blood donor. She arrived at the venue an hour before the event was scheduled to start. The visibly excited Amanda had left her blood donor’s card at home – a card used in tracking the individual’s record. But clearly she was unperturbed. “I heard on TV3 that you guys will be having a blood donation exercise so I decided to come and contribute again. This will be my third time so I am glad to be here,” she said with excitement dotted on her sweaty face.Amanda just completed Senior High School and is waiting to get admission to the Nursing College in 2014. She wants to become more useful to the society and her own community in Korle-bu. “I have always wanted to be a nurse so I can play a significant role in the life of anyone who needs help. I don’t know why but I am sure that is what will bring happiness to me.”Hopefully, there will be many more like Amanda Enusah who will work towards increasing maternal and newborn survival in Ghana.Others were there to give moral support to their colleaguesIn all, 205 pints of blood were donated on Friday, December 6 and Saturday, December 7. It is expected that other branches of the blood service across the country will receive such generous attention from voluntary blood donors. There are more pictures from the event here.Click here for more of our blogs