On Monday, which was World Prematurity Day, LittleBigSouls Ghana illuminated the National Theatre in purple – the official colour of prematurity awareness.
The powerful visual event shone a national spotlight on the 1 in 10 babies born too soon in Ghana and the challenges their families face.
The Prematurity Crisis in Ghana
Approximately 128,000 babies are born prematurely in Ghana each year, with around 9,000 of these vulnerable infants dying annually due to insufficient neonatal care, including a lack of equipment, inadequately trained healthcare staff, and limited access to specialised facilities.
“Lighting up the National Theatre is more than just a beautiful display; it is a visible call to action,” said Edith Uyovbukerhi, Co-founder and Executive Director of LittleBigSouls Ghana.
“We want every Ghanaian to see this iconic landmark in purple and think about the tiny lives fighting for a chance at survival. This is a national issue requiring our collective effort.”
LittleBigSouls Ghana Takes Prematurity Awareness to Northern Ghana
Following the successful World Prematurity Day lighting ceremony at the National Theatre, LittleBigSouls Ghana is taking action beyond awareness.
A dedicated team will travel to Northern Ghana from November 20th-23rd, for a critical outreach mission, delivering essential equipment, consumables, and training to two hospitals serving the region’s most vulnerable premature babies.
The mission will visit the Yendi Municipal Hospital and the Tamale Teaching Hospital as part of its ongoing commitment to ensure that every premature baby in Ghana, not just those in major cities, has access to lifesaving neonatal care.
Two Decades of Saving Lives
Founded in 2003 following the tragic and avoidable death of the founders’ preterm daughter, LittleBigSouls Ghana has been at the forefront of prematurity advocacy and neonatal care improvement in Ghana for over 20 years.
The organisation is one of the founding members of World Prematurity Day and has established itself as THE VOICE for premature babies in Africa.
In two decades, LittleBigSouls have donated lifesaving equipment to neonatal units across Ghana, trained over 100 healthcare workers annually since 2017 and provided emotional support, Kangaroo Mother Care training, and education to over 500 NICU families.
Previous Equipment Donations: Making a Tangible Difference
In November 2024, LittleBigSouls Ghana donated four Oxygen Concentrators valued at GHC 28,000 to three hospitals across Ghana.
These hospitals include the Tamale Teaching Hospital, St. Patrick’s Hospital, Offinso, and Assin Praso District Hospital.
This critical equipment provides lifesaving oxygen support to premature babies with underdeveloped lungs.
The donation was made possible through a partnership with Rotarians Born in November, who fundraised and procured the equipment, entrusting LittleBigSouls Ghana to ensure proper delivery and installation.
All equipment was donated directly to the Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) of these hospitals, immediately increasing their capacity to save premature babies’ lives.
Over the years, LittleBigSouls have also donated brand new incubators and refurbished the KMC for Effa Nkwantan, Tarkwa Municipal Hospital and Tema General Hospital, and donated other essential equipment and consumables.
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