Ghanaian troops serving in the ECOWAS mission in The Gambia, in collaboration with local forces, have conducted a blood donation drive at Essau District Hospital. This initiative aims to help the health facility secure more blood for patients in need.
Speaking at the event, Lieutenant Colonel Abraham Puoriyelle Dery, the Ghanaian ECONOMIC Contingent Commander, described the donation as a crucial endeavor in their mission to save lives. He thanked their partners, including the Gambia Fire Service, Immigration, and Police in Barra, for their collaborative efforts. “If you donate blood, you save lives, and we are happy to take this initiative,” he said.
The Ghanaian ECOMIG commander reiterated their unwavering commitment to serving the Gambian people. “We have an outstanding collaboration with the community and our sister security forces. Beyond the uniform, we are one people,” he affirmed.
Civil-Military Cooperation Officer Captain Christle Konadu Odame highlighted their ongoing engagement in civil-military cooperation since the mission’s inception. She revealed that this is the first time they have collaborated with sister security forces on this initiative. She explained the process of blood donation, stating, “We test for HB and other issues before extracting the blood. It’s a very simple process,” and expressed hope that the initiative would expand to benefit more community members.
Lt(GN) Dr. Christopher Boadi Sarpong, Medical Officer for ECOMIG, Ghanaian contingent 8, noted the high demand for blood in the region, particularly for women in childbirth. “This is a very good initiative, and it will save lives. We screen the donors, and if they qualify, we take their blood. Conditions are kept confidential,” he said. He added that prior to the event, they had engaged with sister agencies to encourage blood donation.
Bakary Sanneh, Officer in Charge of Essau District Hospital, praised the Ghanaian troops for their generosity, saying, “This is the third time we have benefited from such a gesture. Blood is a valuable resource that cannot be purchased. As we enter the peak period for childbirth, the demand for blood increases significantly.”
Ebrima Baldeh, Regional Health Director for North Bank West, echoed these sentiments, praising the Ghanaian troops for championing the initiative. “No blood, no life. As a ministry, we are happy to have such support. If we have a functional blood bank, it can help save lives,” he added.
Mariam Jammeh, Program Manager for the National Blood Transfusion Service at the Ministry of Health, also expressed gratitude to ECOMIG and the sister forces for their support. She underscored the importance of blood donation, noting that the blood donated would complement the ministry’s efforts to address blood shortages in the country.
