The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), Major General Lawrence Kwaku Gbetanu has officially commissioned a blood bank at the Ghana Armed Forces Critical Care and Emergency Hospital (GAFCCEH) on Thursday, 28 August 2025.
The facility is to ensure timely access to blood transfusions, reducing preventable losses and enhancing the hospital’s capacity to respond to emergencies.
In his address, Major General Gbetanu conveyed his honour in commissioning the facility on behalf of the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General William Agyapong, the entire military hierarchy, and the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF). He emphasized the blood bank’s crucial role in safeguarding the health of military personnel, their families, and the wider Ghanaian population.
The COAS commended the medical staff for their professionalism and resilience, describing the blood bank as a cornerstone for medical readiness and improvement of the hospital’s ability to manage mass casualties and complex surgeries. He also praised the sponsors, especially the Stevens family and the Kayson Group, for their generosity and commitment, noting that their names will be permanently honoured within the hospital and the nation.
He urged the medical staff to maintain the highest standards of safety and quality in operating the blood bank. Furthermore, he called on military personnel, their families, and the civilian community to support the initiative by donating blood regularly, emphasizing that every drop can give someone a second chance at life.
Commander of GAFCCEH, Brigadier General Thomas Aquinas Gbireh, explained that the hospital previously depended on the 37 Military Hospital for blood supply. He mentioned that with the establishment of its own blood bank, patients can now access safe and timely blood, reducing reliance on external sources.
Brigadier General Gbireh described the blood bank, made possible by the Stevens family and other sponsors, as a sanctuary of hope that will benefit not only the hospital but also the wider community and neighboring health institutions.
He thanked the Military High Command, sponsors, the Blood Bank Committee, and the Medical Corps for their dedication and hard work.
He also encouraged soldiers, Defense Civilian Staff, and the general public to keep up the tradition of donating blood, underscoring the importance of partnership and generosity in advancing healthcare.
Speaking on behalf of the Stevens family, Madam Maame Kayson highlighted the urgent need for blood donations in Ghana, where the current donation rate falls below the recommended percentage of the population.
She praised GAF for addressing this gap by establishing the blood bank and lauded the military team for completing the project swiftly and efficiently.
Madam Kayson stressed that the blood bank represents a powerful example of what can be achieved through collaboration. She reminded the audience that every day, lives of persons, including children, mothers during childbirth, cancer patients, and accident victims, depend on donated blood.
She encouraged continued support through blood donations, blood drives, and advocacy. She indicated that the blood bank’s establishment is a lifeline of hope inspired by the courage of men and women in uniform.
Supporting this initiative, she said, will have a lasting impact, touching families and communities for generations to come.
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