The National Ambulance Service has revealed that over 40 percent of its ambulances are currently grounded due to an aging fleet, raising serious concerns about the country’s emergency response capacity.
In an interview on Channel One TV on Monday, February 23, 2026, the Clinical Auditor for the Southern Zone of the National Ambulance Service, Martin Ewuah Amoah, confirmed that out of 318 ambulance stations nationwide, only 191 vehicles are currently operational, leaving 127 out of service.
He stressed that ambulances typically have a five-year operational lifespan, after which maintenance demands increase significantly.
“We have 318 stations, but currently, we have 191 in commission and 127 out of commission. An ambulance has a lifespan of five years. After that, steps must be taken to replace them; otherwise, high maintenance issues will arise if we are unable to procure a new fleet,” he stated.
Without systematic fleet renewal, breakdowns become more frequent, adversely affecting response times and overall service delivery.
The revelation about the state of Ghana’s emergency healthcare system comes in the wake of the death of 29-year-old Charles Amissah, an engineer with Promasidor Ghana Limited, who was involved in a hit-and-run accident at the Circle Overpass in Accra on February 6, 2026.
He was unable to secure medical treatment at Ridge Hospital, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, and the Police Hospital due to a lack of bed space and later died.
