The National Blood Service Ghana (NBSG), has in collaboration with Ms Nadia Ntaanu, Miss Ghana 2014, launched an appeal for Ghanaians and corporate institutions to support voluntary blood donation exercises to save lives.

The NBSG with Miss Ghana 2014 had, therefore, intensified sensitization exercises to educate Ghanaians on the need to donate blood voluntarily, as safe blood was on high demand as far as the lives of patients were concerned.

Dr Paul Mensah, Head, Southern Area Blood Centre of the NBSG, explained at a press launch of the 2015 World Blood Donor Day, which was also used to outdoor Miss Ghana 2014 as brand Ambassador to spearhead the 2015 blood donors campaign.

The campaign, on the general theme: “Thank You for Saving my Life,” is to appreciate efforts of voluntary donors towards saving the lives of others and raise awareness on the need for regular blood donations for quality, safety and availability of blood products for patients in need.

Dr Mensah said blood donation played a crucial role in any effective and efficient health delivery system, and therefore urged Ghanaians to make voluntary blood donation part of their existence.

He said patients in need of blood transfusion often needed it under emergency situations, therefore, "blood must be ready and waiting in the blood bank for such emergency use as it is inappropriate to be calling on relatives and friends from all over the country to supply this life saving fluid in such circumstances."

He said the scarcity of blood was rampant in Ghana due to an over-reliance of family replacement system, noting that countries such as Togo and elsewhere could boast of blood supplies solely from voluntary donors.

He said that was the reason why this year’s campaign was hammering on giving blood willingly, giving it often and freely, to ensure safe and adequate blood supply all-year round.

He said this year’s celebration had outlined activities, including a debate at Accra Academy SHS on June 11.

The celebration, he said, would be climaxed with an event at the Efua Sutherland's Children Park on June 13, and urged all to participate in the celebrations.

Touching on the collaboration with Miss Ghana 2014, Dr Mensah said celebrities were committed to educating the public on the importance of blood for survival and the relevance of blood donation, hence the need to associate themselves with the beauty queen.

He also urged Ghanaians to walk into their head offices in Accra and Kumasi at any time and any day to donate blood freely, and also donate on every last Saturday of the month at the Accra West Hills Malls.

Ms Ntaanu, Miss Ghana 2014, promised to embark on a face-to-face approach and also use the relationship she had developed with corporate bodies and institutions, to convince them to engage and support voluntary blood donation for the safety of all.