127 out of 318 ambulances not working – National Ambulance Service

The National Ambulance Service has reported that 127 out of its 318 ambulances nationwide are currently inoperable.

Martin Ewuah Amoah, Clinical Auditor for the Southern Zone of the Service, made this disclosure in an interview on The Point of View on Channel One TV on Monday, February 23, 2026.

According to Amoah, only 191 ambulances are currently operational, while 127 are out of service.

“We have 318 stations, but currently we have 191 in commission and 127 out of commission for obvious reasons. An ambulance has a lifespan of five years. After five years, there should be steps to replace them. Otherwise, like any vehicle, high maintenance issues will arise if we are unable to get a new fleet to replace old ones,” he explained.

The situation is largely due to the age of the ambulances, according to Mr. Amoah, who noted that without timely replacement, maintenance problems are unavoidable.

This statement follows the death of Charles Amissah, a 29-year-old engineer who was involved in a hit-and-run accident at the Circle Overpass in Accra on February 6, 2026.

Mr. Amissah, an employee of Promasidor Ghana Limited, the manufacturer of Cowbell milk and other food products, was reportedly stabilised by Emergency Medical Technicians from the National Ambulance Service.

However, he was allegedly turned away by three major hospitals in Accra, Ridge Hospital, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, and Police Hospital, over nearly three hours due to a lack of bed space. He later died.

The incident has renewed public concern about emergency healthcare delivery and the need for improved resources for both ambulance services and hospitals across the country.