A 26-year-old motor rider, Bright Nkpah, is battling for recovery after sustaining a gunshot wound along the Odomi–Challah route on May 2, 2026, amid renewed tension in the Nkwanta South Municipality of the Oti Region.
The incident has once again highlighted a critical gap in emergency response in the area: the absence of a functional ambulance service.
Bright Nkpah was initially rushed to the Nkwanta St. Joseph Catholic Hospital, where he received emergency care and was later referred to the 37 Military Hospital in Accra for specialised treatment.
However, what should have been a timely medical transfer turned into a prolonged and painful ordeal due to the unavailability of an ambulance within the municipality.
Checks indicate that Nkwanta South—despite facing recurring conflict and heightened security concerns—does not have a dedicated, reliable ambulance for emergency referrals.
Following the referral, authorities were compelled to request an ambulance from Worawora. Even then, the vehicle reportedly struggled with mechanical issues, including a weak engine condition, making it difficult to undertake the long journey to Accra.
As a result, Bright Nkpah endured significant pain while being transported over the poor stretch of road from Nkwanta to Worawora, where he was eventually transferred to another ambulance for onward movement to the 37 Military Hospital.
Health workers and residents say the situation underscores the urgent need for the Ghana National Ambulance Service to prioritise the municipality with a fully functioning ambulance, given the frequent emergencies associated with both road incidents and ongoing unrest.
Further checks by Adom News reveal a broader regional challenge: out of the nine municipal and district assemblies in the Oti Region, only two reportedly have ambulances currently in working condition, with the rest said to be grounded or out of commission.
Residents are calling on regional and national authorities to act swiftly, warning that delays in emergency referrals can mean the difference between life and death, particularly in conflict-prone communities where critical injuries may occur without warning.
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