BY NADIA NTIAMOAH
The National Ambulance Service (NAS) has defended its emergency response capacity, saying it continues to handle more than 300 emergency cases every day across Ghana despite challenges that have left some ambulances out of service.
The Service’s response follows an investigative report by GHOne TV examining the condition and availability of ambulances used for emergency medical response across the country.
In a statement issued on Monday, September 21, 2026, the NAS acknowledged footage showing a number of ambulances grounded but explained that most of the vehicles captured were either involved in road traffic accidents or awaiting major repairs at its central workshop.
The Service said it remains operational in all 16 regions and that its national emergency number, 112, operates around the clock, seven days a week, allowing members of the public to access emergency medical assistance.
According to the NAS, 307 Mercedes-Benz ambulances procured in January 2020 have been deployed continuously across the country since their acquisition. The Service said some of the vehicles have subsequently developed mechanical faults, experienced normal wear and tear from prolonged use or been involved in road traffic accidents.
Despite those challenges, the NAS maintained that its emergency operations remain active nationwide and that it responds to an average of more than 300 emergency cases every day.
The disclosure comes against the backdrop of concerns over Ghana’s capacity to provide timely pre-hospital emergency care, particularly when ambulances are unavailable because of mechanical faults or accidents.
The Service said it is working with the Ministry of Health to accelerate the procurement of spare parts needed to return grounded ambulances to operation.
It also disclosed plans to operationalise regional maintenance centres, a move intended to reduce the amount of time vehicles spend at the central workshop awaiting repairs.
The decentralisation of maintenance, according to the NAS, is expected to improve the turnaround time for damaged or defective ambulances and strengthen emergency response capacity across the regions.
Beyond the condition of the ambulance fleet, the Service said it was also taking steps to strengthen the skills of its emergency medical personnel.
