The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Major General (Maj Gen) Lawrence Kwaku Gbetanu has officially commissioned a newly constructed Blood Bank at the Ghana Armed Forces Critical Care and Emergency Hospital (GAFCCEH) in Burma Camp on Thursday 28 August 2025.

Representing the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), COAS commended the initiative and described it as a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to ensure the health and well-being of its personnel, families, and the general public.

He highlighted the importance of the new facility and that facility would aid in delivering timely, reliable and sustainable healthcare, particularly in combat and emergency scenarios. He added that the blood bank would further enhance the capacity of GAF to respond to mass casualties, perform complex surgical procedures and manage emergencies efficiently, while maintaining high standards of safety and care. "Access to critical resources such as blood can mean the difference between life and death," he stated.

COAS praised the GAF Medical Services for their dedication and professionalism across various domains, including peacekeeping operations, domestic humanitarian and disaster response efforts. He urged all stakeholders to uphold international best practices in blood collection, screening, storage, and distribution.

He extended a special gratitude to the Commander of GAFCCEH, Brigadier General Thomas Aquinas Gbireh, former Deputy Chief of Staff (Medical), Maj Gen Raymond Ewusi, and the Stephens Family for their instrumental roles in the project.

In his address, the Commander of GAFCCEH, Brig Gen TA Gbireh acknowledged the hospital's prior reliance on the 37 Military Hospital for blood supply and expressed gratitude for the continued support, particularly during emergencies. He noted that the new facility will ease the burden and significantly improve service delivery.

Brig Gen Gbireh extended appreciation to Maj Gen Ewusi and the Stephens Family for their involvement throughout the planning and execution phases. He thanked the Military High Command their support and commended the blood bank team for their dedication and innovation.

On her part, the Director of Kaysens Group and former Brand Ambassador for the National Blood Service, Maame Kwaaba Stephens stated that GAFCCEH initiative was timely and commendable. She described the blood bank as a “lifeline of hope and a shared commitment to saving lives”.

Maame Stephens urged the public to support and donate regularly to ensure the sustainability of the facility.