According to the New Abirem Municipal Fire Station, a distress call was received at 2:30 p.m., prompting the dispatch of a seven-member rescue team led by LFM Tenkorang Ofori Prince.

Preliminary reports indicate that the ambulance, registered GV-567-20, suffered brake failure and somersaulted several times before landing on its side.

All four occupants were rescued and rushed to the New Abirem Government Hospital for treatment.

Firefighters also cleared the road of blood stains and recovered key medical equipment, including a ventilator, cardiac monitor, fire extinguisher, chest compression device, stethoscope, and telephone.

The Ghana Police Service was on-site to assist with traffic management as investigations continue into the cause of the crash.

Source: Adomonline.com

According to a police statement, the operation followed sustained surveillance and was carried out on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.

The Hyundai Hiace ambulance, with registration number GX 277-20, was stopped in front of Jamboree Drinking Spot at Labadi Maami. Police arrested 39-year-old Kwame Mananyi Tuanda, who was found beside the vehicle and claimed ownership of both the ambulance and its contents.

A search uncovered sacks containing dried leaves suspected to be cannabis. Upon further inspection, police retrieved 700 parcels and 473 wrappers of the suspected substance.

Investigations revealed that the consignment had been transported from Kpando in the Volta North Region to Accra for onward distribution. Tuanda reportedly admitted to engaging in the illegal trade since 2024.

Police said the suspect initially purchased the Hyundai Hiace as a regular vehicle before fitting it with a siren and branding it as an ambulance. Prior to that, he allegedly used a Toyota Highlander for similar activities. In addition to drug trafficking, the vehicle was sometimes used to transport dead bodies.

The ambulance has since been impounded, and the exhibits are being held as evidence. The suspected substances will be forwarded to the Police Forensic Science Laboratory for testing. Tuanda is currently being processed for court as investigations continue.

The Accra Regional Police Command cautioned the public against using legitimate service vehicles for criminal activity and reaffirmed its commitment to clamping down on drug trafficking across the region.

Source: Adomonline

ALSO READ: 

• Student jailed for 18 months for snatching mobile phone

• Labourer jailed for stealing window frame

Below is the full statement:

In an interview with Citi FM, Ms Avadzinu disclosed that only 42 ambulances are currently operational across the entire region.

This constraint has compelled the service to ration their deployment, with dispatchers forced to reserve vehicles for only the most life-threatening emergencies.

“We are managing because, with the 42 ambulances, most of them are already out on calls when new requests come in. If it’s an inter-hospital transfer and the patient can wait, we ask them to do so,” she said.

“We deliberately hold back some ambulances for serious cases like road traffic accidents or sudden collapses.”

She explained that the limited fleet requires constant coordination with individual ambulance stations.

Dispatchers must keep track of the vehicles in use and adjust deployment in real time to ensure that emergency coverage is maintained.

“So, anytime we dispatch an ambulance, we alert other stations to be on standby. Once the vehicle returns, it can be redeployed. It is far from ideal, but we are doing our best with the resources at our disposal,” Ms Avadzinu added.

The Service is distraught about the challenges the siren misuse is posing in the discharge of their duties as some motorists tend to refuse them road access during emergency situations.

Speaking on Luv FM, Ashanti Regional Manager of the Ambulance Service, Paemt Sommik Duut Miilon raised concerns about the growing challenge EMS teams face in navigating traffic.

He cited the common practice of hearse operators abusing sirens, which contribute to delays in response time, despite not being medical emergencies.

“On Fridays and Saturdays, you see the hearse operators on the roads. There’s no emergency for dead bodies, so those people need to be arrested by police and prosecuted,” he said.

Mr. Duut Miilon urged road users to give way swiftly, stressing that delays often occur due to the traffic congestion caused by unauthorized use of the sirens.

He called for enforcement, urging authorities to militate against the misuse of sirens and prioritize the free passage of legitimate emergency vehicles.

While the standard international response time for medical emergencies is approximately 8 minutes with some places achieving as low as 5 minutes, the Ashanti Region’s average currently stands at 17 minutes.

This, Mr. Duut clarified, is not due to a lack of ambulances or their non-readiness, but largely because some patients’ request transfers between hospitals and prank calls.

“Ghana’s EMS professionals are equipped and ready, but they can only save lives if the public stops misusing emergency lines and starts responding responsibly. Prank calls aren’t just annoying they’re deadly distractions,” he noted.

Mr. Duut highlighted the sheer number of prank calls flooding their dispatch center daily with at least 200 calls from individuals who phone in to make unnecessary demands.

The worrying situation often thwarts the service from offering the needed help to genuine calls.

“We have the 112 which is the emergency line for Ghana, but we can get over 200 to 300 pranked calls, the line doesn’t rest. These aren’t harmless jokes. They range from insults to nonsensical requests like airtime, all of which choke the lifeline meant for real emergencies,” he said.

The functional vehicles are a remainder of the total fleet of 46 originally disbursed to the region.

Ashanti regional manager of the Service, Paemt Sommik Duut Miilon, outlined the state of emergency response logistics in the region.

“In 2004, we started with just 3 ambulances in the Ashanti region, as we speak now, we have about 46 ambulances stations in Ashanti region with 9 ambulances not working,” he said in an interview with David Akuetteh on Luv FM.

He attributed the non-functioning ambulances to servicing and maintenance processes as well as aging machinery of the vehicles.

Mr. Miilon disclosed the vehicles ideally should not be used after a maximum of five years as they become difficult to maintain.

“The current ambulances we are using were procured in 2020. Emergency vehicles cannot be used after a number of years. After 5 years, it becomes very difficult to maintain. That is why the percentage of functional ambulances is dropping,” he explained.

The Regional Manager of Ambulance Service also cited road crashes as a major cause of vehicle damage.

“Some nonfunctional vehicles are damaged as a result of accidents. We operate on the road and we have other road users so there are crashes,” he stated.

Despite these challenges, he assured the public that measures are being taken to increase the fleet.

“Management is working to make sure that we receive new fleets. We received some last year, but they were not that enough to be able to give us the 100% that we expect to have. With our operations, we expect every district to have an ambulance in the country,” added Mr. Miilon.

Key Stakeholders and Opening Address

The event brought together key stakeholders in emergency medical services, including Acting Director of Operations Dr. Foster Ansong Bridjan, Director of Finance Mr. Victor Coffie, Deputy Director PPME Dr. Simon Nyaaba, Deputy Director HR Mr. Simons Yussif Kewura, HR Officer Mrs. Ama Frimpong, Deputy Director Procurement Alhaji Seidu Sanunu, Regional Coordinator Dr. Felicia Birch Freeman, Deputy Greater Accra Regional Administrator PAEMT Walter Foli Ashom, and Clinical Auditor Paramedic Martin Ewuah Amoah.

In his welcome address, Greater Accra Regional Administrator Dr. PAEMT Daniel Asare emphasized the importance of the annual review as a platform for collective reflection, learning, and strategic planning. He commended attendees for their dedication to improving emergency medical service delivery in the region.

Theme and Focus Areas

This year’s theme, “Reflect, Review, and Consolidate to Build a Robust and Resilient Pre-Hospital Emergency Medical Service Delivery in Achieving Universal Health Coverage in the Greater Accra Region,” aligns with Ghana’s national health agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Dr. Asare highlighted the critical role of pre-hospital emergency medical services in achieving:

• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) – reducing road traffic injuries and deaths while ensuring universal health coverage with access to quality emergency care.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) – ensuring emergency medical services are accessible in both urban and rural areas.

Key Data on Emergency Medical Response

Dr. Asare shared key statistics on the region’s emergency medical response:

• The Greater Accra Region serves over 5.2 million people with an ambulance-to-population ratio of 1:132,000, far below the WHO standard.
• The region responds to an average of 750 cases per month and attended to 9,030 emergencies in 2024.
• The average regional response time stands at 18 minutes and 45 seconds.

While acknowledging progress, he noted the increasing demand for resources and efficiency in service delivery.

Key Priorities for 2025

NAS Greater Accra outlined key priorities for 2025, including:

1. Expanding accessibility by opening more ambulance stations in underserved areas.
2. Improving response times by training and forming more first-responder groups.
3. Conducting regular refresher training for both driver and non-driver EMTs.
4. Enhancing fleet management to reduce frequent breakdowns.
5. Improving client services for better patient experiences.
6. Increasing public education to raise awareness on emergency medical response.

Dr. Asare urged all stakeholders to collaborate and innovate to strengthen emergency medical services in the region.

Acknowledgment of Leadership

He commended Prof. Ahmed Nuhu Zakaria, CEO of the National Ambulance Service, for his dedication and vision in improving pre-hospital emergency medical services in Ghana. He credited Prof. Zakaria’s leadership for advancements in operations, training, and infrastructure within NAS.

Remarks by Acting Director of Operations

In his speech, Dr. Foster Ansong Bridjan acknowledged the dedication and sacrifices of EMTs and support staff, emphasizing their critical role in saving lives despite challenging conditions. He highlighted progress in emergency response, capacity building, and public awareness but also pointed out the need for improvements in logistics, personnel welfare, training, and collaboration.

He encouraged open discussions and innovation, urging participants to focus on accountability and teamwork to build a robust and efficient ambulance service that meets growing healthcare demands.

Stakeholder Engagement

Fraternal messages were received from stakeholders, including the Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service, National Road Safety Authority, Ghana Red Cross Society, St. John’s Ambulance Service, Health Services Workers’ Union, World Vision International, Local Government, and Traditional Leaders.

The conference was a success, with participants expressing optimism for greater improvements in the next review.

Speaking during his vetting on Friday, January 31, 2025, Mr. Akandoh raised serious concerns about the terms of the agreement between the Ministry of Health and the company tasked with maintaining the country’s ambulance fleet.

“For the spare parts and the contract with the company maintaining Ghana’s ambulances, I have received a briefing on the issue. If approved by the committee, I am determined to investigate this matter thoroughly,” he said.

The nominee revealed that the same company had procured 307 ambulances for $41 million but was later awarded a five-year maintenance contract for the same fleet, worth $77 million—nearly double the initial procurement cost.

“This company was contracted to purchase 307 ambulances for $41 million. However, I have seen a contract showing that the ministry later signed a maintenance agreement worth $77 million over five years. The rate of vehicle deterioration does not justify such an amount. I intend to launch an investigation into this arrangement,” Mr. Akandoh asserted.

READ ALSO:

• Mining leases issued by NPP to be revoked – Mahama
• Prof Gyampo vows to tackle systemic wrongs as new GSA CEO

The fully equipped Ambulance, which will be stationed at the Technical Centre, will provide emergency support to the users of the facility, players and officials, in particular, and staff, in general.

The new Ambulance is expected to boost emergency healthcare services at the facility and also help to augment other efforts at improving health delivery at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence, which serves as the camping base for the country’s various national teams.

President Simeon-Okraku singled out Minister of Health, Dr. Okoe Boye, for massive praise, for the role he, together with the Chief Director of the Ministry, played in getting the ambulance for the GFA.

General Secretary of the Ghana Football Association, Prosper Harrison Addo, said the new ambulance will be put to good use to serve its purpose as it adds to ongoing efforts to secure livelihoods while praising the Ghana Health Services for their support in securing the ambulance.

“This has been achieved by the kind courtesy of a partnership between the GFA and the Ghana Health Service, which is an agency under the Ministry of Health. We are extremely grateful to them for their immense support. This ambulance will be put to good use and serve its purpose for football here in Prampram.” he concluded

President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku was accompanied by General Secretary, Prosper Harrison Addo, Vice-President Mark Addo, members of the Executive Council, former Vice-Chairman of the GFA, Fred Pappoe, former General Secretary, Emmanuel Gyimah, delegates to Congress, and the media to officially outdoor the brand new ambulance.

The beneficiary institutions are the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Police Service (Police Hospital), the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and the Tamale Teaching Hospital. The Tamale Teaching Hospital in addition had a water tanker to help improve water supply in the facility.

The equipment, costing $1.56 million, was financed by the Japanese government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), following a request made by the government of Ghana.

In a speech read on behalf of the caretaker Minister of Health, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, at a brief ceremony in Accra yesterday to hand over the vehicles, the Minister of Health designate, Dr Bernard Okoe Boye, said, “these pieces of equipment are part of the Japanese government’s support to Ghana’s Primary Health Programme to strengthen Ghana’s health system”.

He said the country had benefited from the long and successful relationship with the government of Japan which dated back several years through technical assistance, grant aid and donation of equipment and commodities.

He mentioned some of them as the African Health and Well-being Initiative; the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) drive of Ghana and the development and launch of the National Health Policy, as well as support for Ghana’s COVID-19 response.

He expressed the country’s gratitude to Japan for its continuous support. Dr Okoe Boye said the presentation of the equipment was in line with the ministry’s drive to deliver the UHC to increase access to quality essential healthcare and public health services for all by 2030.

“We, therefore, re-emphasise the importance of all these investments of our universal health goal, especially in improving access to quality health services,” he said.

UHC by 2030

The Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, Alhaji Hafiz Adam, said the ministry was resolved to attain the UHC by 2030 and called on all partners to put their hands on deck.

He said the UHC was a collective responsibility which called for collaboration among all stakeholders. Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Deputy Chief of Staff, Medical, of the Ghana Armed Forces, Major General Raymond Ewusi, thanked the government and the JICA for the support and pledged that the equipment would be maintained.

The Ministry of Health has presented four ambulances and a water tanker to four institutions as part of efforts to enhance healthcare delivery. 

The beneficiary institutions are the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Police Service (Police Hospital), the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and the Tamale Teaching Hospital. The Tamale Teaching Hospital in addition had a water tanker to help improve water supply in the facility.

The equipment, costing $1.56 million, was financed by the Japanese government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), following a request made by the government of Ghana.

In a speech read on behalf of the caretaker Minister of Health, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, at a brief ceremony in Accra yesterday to hand over the vehicles, the Minister of Health designate, Dr Bernard Okoe Boye, said, “these pieces of equipment are part of the Japanese government’s support to Ghana’s Primary Health Programme to strengthen Ghana’s health system”.

He said the country had benefited from the long and successful relationship with the government of Japan which dated back several years through technical assistance, grant aid and donation of equipment and commodities.

He mentioned some of them as the African Health and Well-being Initiative; the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) drive of Ghana and the development and launch of the National Health Policy, as well as support for Ghana’s COVID-19 response.

He expressed the country’s gratitude to Japan for its continuous support. Dr Okoe Boye said the presentation of the equipment was in line with the ministry’s drive to deliver the UHC to increase access to quality essential healthcare and public health services for all by 2030.

“We, therefore, re-emphasise the importance of all these investments of our universal health goal, especially in improving access to quality health services,” he said.

UHC by 2030

The Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, Alhaji Hafiz Adam, said the ministry was resolved to attain the UHC by 2030 and called on all partners to put their hands on deck.

He said the UHC was a collective responsibility which called for collaboration among all stakeholders. 

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Deputy Chief of Staff, Medical, of the Ghana Armed Forces, Major General Raymond Ewusi, thanked the government and the JICA for the support and pledged that the equipment would be maintained.

ALSO READ:

• Health Ministry clarifies reports of Global Fund shipment suspension amidst health crisis concerns

• Health Ministry responds to KATH doctors’ eviction notice

According to him, whereas about 79 have completely broken down, 12 others have been involved in accidents and are thus not in a good state.

Making the claim during a debate on the budget estimates for the Ministry of Health, Mr. Akandoh bemoaned the lack of funding for the National Ambulance Service despite being inundated with huge cases in the past few years.

“In 2022, the National Ambulance Service recorded not less than 41,000 cases; in 2023, as at the time they appeared before us, they had recorded only 27,000 cases.”

“Mr. Speaker, as I have read from the report, out of about GH¢67 million in allocation, they have received only GH¢20 million. Mr. Speaker, out of the 307 ambulances that were imported into this country in 2020, about 79 have completely broken down and are not in operation, and about 12 have been involved in accidents. All in all, about 91 of the ambulances are not in operation, and if we continue this way, four years from now, we will not have any ambulances left in the fleet.”

President Akufo-Addo commissioned the ambulances at the forecourt of the Black Star Square in Accra on Tuesday, January 28, 2020.

ALSO READ:

• Pru East ambulance grounded over faulty injectors

• COVID-19: 26 ambulances bought for $4m yet to be supplied – Auditor-General’s Report

The ambulances are to help improve medical services delivery in the five northern regions of Ghana, North East, Northern, Savanna, Upper East and Upper West.

Demonstrating bilateral collaboration and commitment to strengthening the UK-Ghana security partnership, the British High Commission has presented eight ambulances to the Ghana Armed Forces to improve medical outreach in the Northern border regions. 

The official handover ceremony which took place today at the Burma Camp in Accra is a testament of the strong security and defence ties the UK and Ghana share. 

The event brought together the UK Minister of State for the Armed Forces, James Heappey, the Chief of the Defence Staff, Vice Admiral Seth Amoama from the Ghana Armed Forces, British High Commissioner, Harriet Thompson, representatives from the UK government and representatives from the Ghana Armed Forces, showcasing a collaborative effort to bolster peace and security in the Northern regions.

Ghana, like her neighbours appreciate the importance of civilian cooperation in the Northern regions as the Armed Forces work alongside Non-Governmental Organisations in the fight to prevent and limit violent extremist organisations.

The ambulances provided are equipped with state-of-the-art technology to aid the Ghana Armed Forces in their medical outreaches in the five Northern regions as part of the UK-Ghana Civilian Military Cooperation Programme.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, the UK Minister of State for the Armed Forces, James Heappey said: “Ghana is a key partner for the UK, we work together to tackle shared challenges from violent extremism in the Sahel to maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea and this donation underscores the strong partnership between the UK and Ghana”.

“We are proud to contribute to Ghana Armed Force’s capacity to protect and serve its civilians in the 5 Northern regions to counter violent extremism, and we will continue to foster long-lasting partnerships through our annual security dialogue”.

The ambulances will be distributed in the Wa, Bolgatanga, Sandema Mechanical Brigade Headquarters and the Armoured Regimental Headquarters in Damango respectively. 

The UK continues to work closely with the Ghana Armed Forces to support Ghana’s leadership position in the sub-region and to strengthen the capability of Ghanaian security services to take the lead in responding to instability in the region, particularly those related to that of violent extremists emanating from the Sahel.

In Ghana, it is very common to see an ambulance carrying a corpse from the mortuary for burial.

There are also instances where taxis or minibuses are used to carry a corpse.

But Dr Yaw Twerefuor has stressed that, such practice is wrong since that is not the function of an ambulance and further urged such drivers to stop it.

“Very soon we’ll come out with a policy that will ensure that not any vehicle will be allowed to convey a corpse, we’ll license hearse for such operations. Let me stress this issue: those vehicles that have the inscription “Ambulance” that conveys corpses will be outlawed soon. Ambulances are supposed to carry a living person battling to survive, once the person dies, an ambulance should not be used to carry him or her, it must be a hearse.

The law that governs the operation of ambulances is also different. Hearse is used to carry a corpse, so if you have a hearse and you’ve inscribed Ambulance on the vehicle, you’ll have questions to answer,” Dr Yaw Twerefuor told Kasapa FM.

He added that “if its a hearse and you have strobe lights fixed on the vehicle with blurring sirens, you’ll also have questions to answer”.

“We’ll be coming out with a policy where all the hearse in Ghana will be licensed to govern their operations such that one cannot give a corpse to an unlicensed hearse” Mr. Twerefuor said.

ALSO READ:

• Kintampo MCE commissions mortuary for Muslims

• There is no dignity – MoFFA boss on posing of corpses at funerals

The deceased, identified as Kwasi Asiamah, was crashed to death by the Sehwi Bodi District ambulance while attempting to cross to the opposite direction.

Eyewitnesses told Adom News’ Augustine Boah the driver of the ambulance with registration number GV-21-20 failed to spot him and rammed into him.

The deceased was trapped under the ambulance, damaging his head in the process.

He is beleived to have died on the spot.

The district police command visited the scene and conveyed the body to the Wiaso Government Hospital morgue.

He is survived by a wife and four children.

Meanwhile, family of the deceased has identified his remains as investigations continue.

Doctors at the Holy Catholic Church at Fijai referred Augustina Awotwe to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra because she developed complications after a caesarean section.

However, her husband Obiri Yeboah said the journey to the KBTH was cut short because the ambulance driver demanded GHC600.00 to buy fuel. When he explained that he could not afford that amount, the ambulance driver drove back to Fijai.

The Speaker, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has, therefore, directed the Committee to within five weeks submit its report to the plenary.

Mr Bagbin added the handling of emergencies ought to be relooked at and that the people will be supported by Parliament in such circumstances.

This is on the back of a motion filed by the four Minority MPs; Juaboso MP and Ranking Member on the Health Committee; Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Asawase MP; Mubarak Muntaka, Nabdam MP; Dr Kurt Mark Nawaane, and Techiman North MP; Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare.

The motion, among other things, wants answers to the demand for payment by the ambulance operators from the Holy Child Catholic Hospital and its associated delays leading to her death.

They believe that the probe will provide insights into what happened and help resolve some of the issues involving ambulances.

It would also help proffer solutions to nip such unfortunate situations in the bud.

The beneficiaries had different emergency health issues, ranging from maternal, road traffic accidents, medical cases, investigative cases, and some special duty cases.

Mr Francis Ohemeng Nyantakyi, the Regional Director of NAS, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Cape Coast, said women were the highest beneficiaries.

He said from July to September, 603 women against 485 men were saved with 46 of the cases being road traffic accidents, 295 medical, 254 maternal, 320 investigative, 16 special duty cases, 148 pediatrics, and nine Covid-19 cases.

He said patronage was a bit lower in the previous quarter because of the resurgence of COVID-19 and its related issues.

Speaking on challenges, the Director said requests for services were growing, adding the current volume of fuel supply allocated to the Service, was inadequate.

“The fuel we get for our work is no more sufficient because the task is now huge and so we have adopted a system where we accept little support from beneficiaries who are willing and able to support.”

He said the road network in some areas were bad and had resulted in a high cost of vehicle maintenance.

Others are lack of personnel and accommodation for staff.

Notwithstanding these challenges, he assured the public of their commitment to saving lives and urged all to call on the NAS during health emergencies.

Mrs Georgina Appiah, a Senior Midwife in charge of the Maternal Ward at the Cape Coast Metropolitan Hospital, told the GNA that there were some recognisable delays by the ambulance response team which constantly posed risks for patients.

Generally, she applauded the team for the commitment shown in their line of duty but admonished them to respond on time in other to lower the risk of death of patients.

“So far, so good. I see their patriotism and commitment to their work, I know the delay is probably something they have no control of but we plead that such issues are resolved to protect the interest of our patients,” she added.

Sharing some experiences, Mrs Hannah Asomaning, a trader, said she had to wait for the ambulance for some time after she was given a referral letter for treatment at the Teaching Hospital.

The fate of a patient hanged in balance after the ambulance conveying him got stuck in the mud due to the bad nature of roads from Adabokrom to Nkrankwanta.

The patient, a 21-year-old man, according to reports, was being transported to the Sunyani Hospital.

Battling Pneumonia, Hypertension, and Tuberculosis around 5:20 pm, he was referred from the Essam Government Hospital in the Bia West District of the Western North Region for further medical attention.

He got on the ambulance at about 8:30 pm while on oxygen support but the ambulance got stuck in the middle of the road around 9:20 pm.

ALSO READ:

• Meet midwife driving ‘Wooden Door Ambulance’ to save lives

• Driver shot in the head as robbers attack ambulance transporting pregnant woman

All attempts to push the ambulance out of the mud for over an hour proved futile with a distress call being placed to the Bia East team for assistance.

The patient was eventually handed over to the Bia East ambulance and it got to Sunyani around 12:30 am, where he is currently responding to treatment.

Watch the video attached for more:

The video, which has received backlash, saw the ambulance with registration number GV 537-20 being loaded with bags of cement by some young men.

The company has explained the ambulance developed a fault on Tuesday, January 28, 2020, which was the day of commissioning of some 307 ambulances.

In a statement, they said the ambulance had been in their custody since that time, adding that repairs were only completed on March 26, 2021.

“It was on the day of test drive that the driver committed the dastardly act,” the statement added.

RELATED:

• Workers use ambulance as a ‘pickup truck’ for cement [Video]

• Ambulance Service reveals person behind bags of cement in vehicle

The statement, among other things, noted the police had been involved in the matter with investigations ongoing.

They have further rendered an unqualified apology to the National Ambulance Service and its staff.

Read the statement below:

It has emerged that the ambulance used to transport bags of cement at Budumburam in the Gomoa East District of the Central Region was supposed to be in a garage for servicing.

According to reports, the mechanic, who worked on the ambulance, reportedly took it to convey cement.

In a video sighted by Adomonline.com, two men, believed to be workers at a cement shop, were captured busily packing the bags into the ambulance.

Also, a middle-aged man, clad in a pink Lacoste with a bald head, was seen directing people to pack the cement into the ambulance.

Prince Acquah, a journalist with Pink FM at Kasoa said he took the video on March 26, 2021 on his way home from work.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Tuesday, he said about 10 bags of cement were loaded into the ambulance with registration number GV 537-20.

Prince said checks he made at the National Ambulance Service revealed that, the ambulance belonged to the Sege constituency but developed a minor fault and was sent to Accra for servicing.

“I called the National Ambulance Service and they told me the vehicle was supposed to be at a garage for servicing. The person I spoke to was very surprised,” he stated.

Prince Acquah said all attempts to get the driver and more information about the ambulance proved futile because a resident raised alarm and he had to flee for his life.

Play attached audio above for more:

Meanwhile, the police have begun investigations after the National Ambulance Service lodged a formal complaint.

Information suggests the ambulance was used at Budumburam in the Gomoa East District of the Central Region.

In the video, two men, believed to be workers at a cement shop, were captured busily packing them into the ambulance.

A middle-aged man, clad in a pink Lacoste with a bald head, was seen directing people to pack the cement into the ambulance.

Shocking: National Ambulance used in carrying Cement somewhere in Gomoa East, Budumburam area? pic.twitter.com/71lvjLkPv7

— Adom TV (@adom_tv) June 1, 2021

The video comes barely two weeks after a 12-year-old boy died at the Battor Catholic Hospital over the delay of an ambulance to transfer him to the 37 Military Hospital.

ALSO READ:

• A sad account of how 12-year-old died over lack of bed, ambulance

• Ambulance driver takes risk to save dying man ‘abandoned’ by family [Photos+video]

This has generated massive reactions from a section of Ghanaians who have been angered by the development.

Read some reactions below:

Just saw a video of a Ghanaian ambulance carrying cement. I’ve been asking myself many questions

— fouquet⚪️ (@edi_frost) June 1, 2021

? Like How? Eeii Ghana…..National Ambulance Vehicle Used For Carrying Cement#YourBoyDotty https://t.co/ldESBRkbqC

— DOTTY (@YourBoyDotty) June 1, 2021

This is the mindset & attitudes of pure Ghanaian Man….#National Ambulance used in carrying cement somewhere in Gomoa East C/R Bujumburam…how can Gov’t fix a country like this if the ppl are not ready to change our corrupt ways..Saaaaad! As a Ghanaian#FixTheCountry pic.twitter.com/Qi8w2qT4T9

— Kofi Toku (@toku2247) June 1, 2021

You’ll call for ambulance and they’ll tell you there’s no fuel but it’s cement and plantain they’re carrying. Nsem fon sei

— ɢɪʟʙᴇʀᴛᴅɪɴʜᴏ (@Gilbert_Spaco) June 1, 2021

Ambulance is used for taking sick to hospital not carrying cement. https://t.co/RvBdeFscva

— Dodzi Kwami Avuletey (@akwamidodzi) June 1, 2021

The speed this people go take come pass err ..u go figure is something important aama s3 scam and stealing nkoa ..wicked people

— seekani (@seekani1) June 1, 2021

According to Michelle Nartey, who is an Assembly Member at Ningo Prampram, the boy fell from a mango tree and had to be rushed for medical care.

He explained the boy was admitted at the Battor Catholic Hospital where preliminary examinations including x-rays were conducted.

However, there was the need for him to be referred to either Korle-Bu or 37 for further treatment as the condition was deteriorating.

Recounting the ordeal on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr Nartey said they placed a call to Korle-Bu but were told there was no bed, hence the boy could not be admitted.

Fast forward, calls were also made to the 37 Military Hospital where they agreed to the transfer but their biggest hurdle was an ambulance to facilitate the transfer.

ALSO READ:

• Hearse driver dies in accident while transporting corpse

• Galamsey: Excavators of top NPP executive burnt

He explained all attempts to reach the National Ambulance Service proved futile and when they finally did, the outfit said they will get back to them.

“We could not use the hospital’s ambulance because it was scheduled to transfer another patient and we had plans to join if possible but they were going to Lapaz so things did not go according to plan.

“We were still waiting for the Ambulance service to get back to us yet there was no response so I called back again around 6:pm and had the same ‘we’ll get back to you response’,” he narrated.

In the midst of all the struggle, Mr Nartey noted he placed calls to other persons he believed could be of help yet their attempts also yielded no results.

“It was around 9:pm when we had a call that the ambulance service was ready to move but needed to reconfirm the admission from 37 to know if they were ready to receive the patient.

“Unfortunately, he blacked out around 10:pm and that was it as all efforts by the doctors to resuscitate him proved futile,” he said amid tears.

According to reports, the Sefwi Bibiani-Anhwiaso Bekwai ambulance was contacted to transport a woman in labour to the Wiaso Government Hospital.

But, prior to reaching their destination, the woman is said to have delivered a baby girl, for which the ambulance was ordered to head straight to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital after arriving at a CHPS compound for first aid.

It was on their way that a KIA Rhino car was said to have collided head-on with the ambulance after making a wrong U-turn.

The ambulance driver sustained minor injuries, while the mother and newborn daughter were unscathed; all are currently receiving treatment at Sefwi Wiaso Government Hospital.

The front part of the Sefwi Wiaso Constituency ambulance was badly damaged.

The KIA Rhino driver is currently at large.

The ambulance, which belongs to the Yilo Krobo constituency, was said to be transporting a woman in labour from the Akuse Government Hospital to the Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua.

Reports indicate the incident occurred around 1:00 am Thursday, January 4, 2021, with the driver in a critical condition.

The driver is reported to have bumped into the robbers who started firing shots upon the sound of the siren and the light which they thought was the police.

The Deputy Eastern Regional Administrative Officer of the National Ambulance Service, Felix Owusu, confirmed the news in an interview with Accra-based Citi FM.

He said the robbers fired through the windscreen and the side mirror.

“Even after the shooting, they wanted to extort money from the EMT who was attending to the injured driver and the woman who only had GHS 15.00 on her leaving the driver to his fate.

“Information we have gathered so far suggests they were about eight men including a lady,” he narrated.

ALSO READ:

• Woman allegedly commits suicide at Atebubu

• Generator fume kills two, another in coma

Mr Owusu indicated the injured driver is at the Intensive Care Unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and is expected to undergo surgery.

The woman, who was left traumatised, was also taken through counselling and doing well now.

The case has been reported to the Adukurom police with investigations underway.

The loan agreement is between the Government of Ghana represented by the Ministry of Finance and the Deustche Bank AG, Frankfurt am Main for an amount of €18,815,000 including Euler Hermes premium guarantee to finance the supply of ambulances and related training and maintenance services.

According to the Finance Committee report, government, through the Ministry of Special Development Initiatives, procured and distributed 307 ambulances to augment the existing 50 ambulances across the country.

However, the number seems inadequate. It is in response to this that the government is procuring additional 112 ambulances to augment the current fleet.

In view of that, Deutsche Bank AG agreed to provide needed funding to undertake this project and it is this agreement that is before the House.

The Committee also observed that the country needs in excess of 1,000 ambulances to be able to provide pre-hospital care and handle the inter-facility transfer.

ALSO READ:

• 19-year-old COVID-19 patient raped by ambulance driver, suspect arrested!

• Rev Owusu Ansah, Adom FM donate ambulance to Ghana Prisons Service [Video+Photos]

Presenting the Committee’s report, the Chairman, Dr Mark Assibey Yeboah said approval of the facility for the supply of 112 ambulances for the National Ambulance Service will support the country’s health system to function effectively at all levels.

He added that the additional ambulances would help to improve emergency healthcare delivery, improve the country’s emergency response and reduce the morbidity of patients with emergency conditions; Provide immediate and effective life-saving care in a safe and clinical working environment; and generally improve healthcare.

Meanwhile, a member on the Finance Committee on the Minority side, Richard Acheampong, commended the government for purchasing additional ambulances to improve healthcare.

He was, however, unhappy why some officials of the National Ambulance Service demand money before they attend to patients in need.

The Bia East Member of Parliament also urged the government to adequately fund the ambulance services to ensure efficiency.

But the chairman of Parliament’s Health Committee, Dr Kwabena Twum Nuamah, said the procurement of additional ambulances is laudable and the government is on course to achieve the WHO’s population ratio of the provision of ambulances.

He added that the service of an ambulance is supposed to be free, adding that the said officers engaging in the practice are engaging in illegalities.

According to her, the amount for each of the ambulances includes all procurement processes and insurance.

“Each of the ambulances cost $133,000 with two years warranty and have been given a full premium insurance being handled by a local company,” she said.

ALSO READ:

• Y’asem Nie: Doctor narrates how a pregnant woman died due to lack of beds [listen]
• Ghana needs land cruiser-type ambulances, not these – ACHP [listen]

Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Madam Koomson said all the ambulances have fully been dispatched to their respective locations.

“All the Ambulances dispatched were fully furnished except for the 32 extra which will be sent to the office of the ambulance service, but claims of empty ones are palpable falsehood,” she added.

Meanwhile, she stressed all the ambulances would be taken to the regions for inventory before being taken to the Constituencies without any funfair on their arrival.

The EMT, who gathered at the forecourt of the Black Star Square, thrilled the President, State protocol and witnesses of the commissioning with what they learnt during their personnel training ahead of the distribution.

Mimicking an accident situation, the paramedics were quick to offer some emergency pre-hospital services to the victims who had sustained various degrees of injuries.

SEE ALSO

• 307 ambulances Commissioned [Photos]
• Coronavirus: Ridge, Tema General Hospitals named management centres

Following a distress call to the emergency number 112, personnel from Police, Fire and Ambulance services rushed to the scene to administer pre-hospital services.

The EMT, as part of the sketch, administered oxygen, gave chest compression, bandaged wounds, treated a fractured neck with braces before transporting them for further treatment.

Dead bodies on the other hand were bagged up into a pick-up vehicle while the Police secured the scene for investigative purposes.

This is in fulfillment of the Akufo-Addo-led government’s one-constituency one-ambulance promise which seeks to improve emergency healthcare delivery in Ghana.

The commissioning was earlier scheduled for January 6, 2020 but a letter from the National Ambulance Service (NAS) addressed to President Nana Akufo-Addo called for a postponement.

ALSO READ:

• Farmer guns down surveyor
• Provide Ambulance bays or we’ll deny you – Minister to MMDCEs [listen]

The service explained the postponement was necessary as important technical issues needed to be completely addressed before the ambulances could be commissioned and dispatched to the various constituencies.

Meanwhile, personnel of NAS, including paramedics and drivers, have successfully undergone training prior to the commissioning to ensure efficient and effective pre-hospital services.

More pictures below:

Minister for Special Development Initiative, Mavis Hawa Koomson, has threatened the possible retainment of ambulances from constituencies with no ambulance bays.

The Minister’s threat follows observation by her outfit that some Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) have failed to construct ambulance bays in their constituencies despite an earlier notification to all MMDCEs in the country to do so.

 Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem show on Tuesday, the Minister said it was the responsibility of MMDCEs to ensure the availability of ambulance bays in their constituencies.

READ THESE

Coronavirus: Ghanaian students in China demand evacuation

Popular Nollywood actor turns roadside beggar as he battles stroke

Kobe Bryant and wife Vanessa ‘had deal not to fly in helicopter together’

 “All ambulances are to be parked at ambulance bays in all constituencies, and constituencies without ambulance bays will not get theirs,” she said.

“We’ve already communicated to all MMDCEs of the need to have ambulance bays, so I don’t expect them not to have bays. When constituencies without bays are denied ambulances I’m sure the constituents would want to know why they don’t have their share of the ambulances,” she added.

This, she said, will push District Chief Executives to provide bays for the ambulances.

Ambulances belonging to constituencies with no bays, according to Madam Hawa Koomson, will be kept at the regional offices of the National Ambulance Service till ambulance bays become ready in such constituencies. 

ALSO READ

PNC National Director of communication resigns

‘Barrister’ remanded over alleged narcotic substances

Tuesday’s commissioning and distribution of all 307 procured ambulances by President Nana Akufo-Addo follows the completion of labeling, training of paramedics, fitting of tracking devices, and receipt of the full complement of the ambulances.

Some 450 Emergency Medical Technician drivers out of the 575 cleared for recruitment, have been fully trained and ready to start operating the ambulances.

The Ghana Ambulance Service has signed a five-year Service and Maintenance Agreement with the Suppliers to ensure proper servicing and maintenance of the ambulances.

In a statement signed by Thomas Ohene Ntow, a Youth Leader and Sakpaku Prosper, Public Relations Officer of the group, they expressed their disappointment in their MP for criticising the government over the delay in distribution of the ambulances when he was “guilty” of the same matter.

They backed government’s plans to ensure due processes and operational systems are put in place before the distribution of the 275 ambulances procured for the 275 constituencies.

On Monday, January 6, 2020, Mr Akandoh criticised government on an Accra-based radio station over the delay in distributing the ambulances.

They indicated that ordinarily, it was a good call by the MP, but insisted that due processes and good operational systems must be ensured for effective and efficient utilisation of the vehicles.

The youth further claimed it took the MP a year-and-half to procure a second-hand ambulance for the Juaboso Government Hospital and held a durbar at Proso-Kofikrom, a suburb of Juaboso, to launch the ambulance.

After this, an Ambulance Working Committee was established to manage it.

Before then, the Ambulance was parked at the Hospital premises for three good months before its operationalisation, the press said.

“Therefore, it is unacceptable to hear the same MP who spent 21 months to procure an Ambulance, which he attributed the delay to the adherence of due diligence criticising government on the same matter he was guilty of,” the statement read.

We are, therefore, appealing to the public to disregard the MP’s allegations and allow government to train personnel and fix good operational systems to ensure their effective and efficient management and utilisation.

The National Ambulance Service (NAS), which operates under the Ministry of Health, is in need of urgent support to enable it to deliver the quality service Ghanaians demand of it.

Public Relations Officer of the service, Simmons Yussif Kewura, disclosed this on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem on Monday.

 ALSO: Bureau of Public Safety commends Ambulance Service

According to him, the Service operates from ambulance stations established in strategic locations from where the ambulances respond to emergency calls.

Speaking of its key need, Mr Kewura said effective communication gadget is a challenge in the service.

“We need a lot of equipment; reliable communication or telephone is key at the stations. At any point in time we need to be up and quick to respond to incidents that keep coming to our stations. We are not magicians to determine what’s happening somewhere and so we need computers and so many things at the ambulance stations,” he said.

ALSO: Sex for grades: Gyampo, Butakor exonerated

He said the Service also needs gadgets to aid it record cases reported at various stations as the country goes digital.

Another challenge faced by the Service, according to Mr Kewura, is lack of personnel.

“We need personnel aside all the challenges I have mentioned although we have about 2,000 personnel, we still need more,” he added.

READ: Amandzeba survives car crash after bumping into 2 cars [Photos]

Mr Kewura noted that the Chief Executive Officer of the NAS and his team have been working within the constraints to improve service delivery, but he believes that will come to nothing if ambulances, which are at the heart of the Service’s operations, are unavailable.

He, therefore, appealed to the government to resource the NAS so that it could deliver on its mandate.

Source: Adomonline.com | Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy

Public Relations Officer of the ambulance service, Simmons Yussif Kewura who made the appeal said the jobs of the hearse drivers weren’t emergency services and didn’t require the use of the sirens.

“We always come across these vehicles with an ambulance inscription on them on our roads, blowing sirens but they are hearses for corpses and not ambulances so they must stop,” he said.

ALSO READ

• How citizens assisted police in arresting ‘habitual’ phone snatcher

• Blame churches for the depreciation of the cedi – Rev. Obofour explains

Mr Kewura who was speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Monday, reminded such drivers that the wrongful use of sirens was against the traffic laws of Ghana and is punishable by law.

“Hearses do not run emergency services in Ghana but carry corpses to the hospital or to the burial ground so what is the emergency about a dead body,” he quizzed.

Executive Director of health policy think tank, the Africa Center for Health Policy, Research and Analysis, Dr Thomas Anaba says President Akufo-Addo may have been misled into giving a date for the commissioning newly procured ambulances.

Anaba’s comments follow a request made by the National Ambulance Service (NAS) for a postment of the commissioning of the ambulance which was scheduled for Monday, January 6, 2020.

A request he says casts a huge doubt on the country’s seriousness to strengthen its already weak emergency response system as a developing country.

President Akufo-Addo in his meet-the-press series in December, 2019, promised the commissioning and distribution of all 307 procured ambulances across the various constituencies on January 6, 2020.

ALSO READ

• Sex for grades: Gyampo, Butakor exonerated

• Blame churches for the depreciation of the cedi – Rev. Obofour explains

• How citizens assisted police in arresting ‘habitual’ phone snatcher

But the President’s inability to do so as promised has led to Mr Anaba questioning if President Akufo-Addo was unaware of the numerous ‘setbacks’ when he promised to launch them in January 2020.

“This issue really baffles me; were there no proper checks done by the National Ambulance Service before advising the President to have the ambulances commissioned on January 6, 2020,” he questioned.

“They [NAS] should just distribute what we have now; with the kind of ambulance service ran in Ghana, all you need is a bed and machine aside the paramedics,” Dr Anaba demanded.

He argued that government’s decision to hold onto the distribution of the 48 ambulances parked at the forecourt of the State House is a clear manifestation of its insensitivity to Ghanaians.

The 21 year old identified as Gladys Lewa was put to labour last Friday at the community but had to be transported on the tricycle upon referral to the Busah Health Center which is about 20 kilometres away.

She was accompanied by her rival, Faustina Kondoma who delivered her of the baby midway into the journey in the bush.

Narrating her ordeal on Accra-Based Citi FM, Gladys Lewa stated the nature of roads in the village is impassable and deters drivers from travelling on the road.

“Cars don’t come to our village because of the bad nature of the road.  And there is no ambulance too. So the only means to carry me was the tricycle,” she said.

“Imagine travelling with pain in a deplorable road. We got to a point and the child was coming. It was only my “rival” who was accompanying me so she helped and the child came out,” she narrated soberly.

According to her, even though she managed to endure the pains of childbirth through the bumpy road in the tricycle, she gave up on her survival because her placenta could not come out after delivering in the middle of the bush.

The tricycle driver, however, managed to get her to the Busah Health centre but before they got there, the 21-year old who was experiencing her first childbirth had gone into coma.

She had to be referred again to the Upper West Regional Hospital in the same tricycle because of the lack an ambulance at the regional facility and arrived at the regional hospital with a 4.6HB as a result of over bleeding but was saved.

Faustina Kondoma described the incident as her worse experience in life and called on the government to find a lasting solution to the no ambulance syndrome in the region.

READ ALSO

• Decision not to distribute 96 ambulances mine – Akufo-Addo

• Police raid ‘Facebook fetish priests’

• Fifty year-old woman dies in Enchi-Dadieso accident

“I don’t pray for any woman to go through what we went through. It is us today, who is next tomorrow? As if we don’t vote. The government must do something about it. If the road were to be good, we could get a car to transport her”.

Charles Tongan, the husband of the patient commended workers at the regional hospital but called for stringent efforts to provide ambulances to the various districts in the region.

The Upper West region currently has less than 3 functioning ambulances serving the over 800,000 residents in the area.

This coupled with a lack of doctors and other critical staff, is hampering healthcare delivery in the region.

An ultramodern regional new regional hospital which was commissioned on August 18th 2019 to help address the challenges is still closed to the public.

The Ghana Ambulance Service needs over 500 ambulances to be effective, Public Relations Officer of the service,  Ahmed Zakaria has said.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen Wednesday, Ahmed Zakaria indicated that the service has 150 ambulances nationwide with only 55 currently in effective operation.

“For now we need over 500 ambulances in the country so we can attend to people quickly”, he said.

WATCH: VIDEO+PHOTOS: REVEALED: 15.8million Euros wasted on defected ambulances

His revelation follows the death of former Vice President, Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur at the 37 Military Hospital where he was said to have been rushed to in the back of a pick-up vehicle after collapsing at the Airforce Gym on Friday, June 29, 2018, during a routine workout.

After the death of the former Vice President, there has been a public outcry over lack of ambulances at the GAS.

ALSO READ: PHOTOS+VIDEO: Odupong Ofaakor, a distressed community lacking every basic amenity

Mr Zakaria says Ghanaians are not safe as far as the current situation is concerned, considering the 27 million and over people in the country.

While admitting that the current stock is woefully inadequate, he revealed that the ones available are also not in the best of conditions.

MORE TO READ: PHOTO: Meet Ghanaian guy set to marry Pastor Chris’ daughter

“We have about 216 districts in this country. Ideally, we need to have at least two ambulances in each district. If we want to serve Ghanaians very well, we will need at least 500 to 600 ambulances. We are looking forward to acquiring 200 to 400 ambulances and with that, we will be able to execute our mandate as an emergency institution,” he said.

It has been established that 200 ambulances procured at a cost of 15.8million have been left to rot.

National Ambulance Ambassador and host of Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Captain Smart disclosed this on the show’s anti-corruption segment, Fabewoso Wednesday.

The first consignment of 30 ambulances supplied by Big Sea Trading LLC has been found to be unfit for purpose.

WATCH: VIDEO: What Prez Akufo-Addo said about Amissah Arthur when he visited his family

A former Minister for Health, Alban Bagbin on February 19, 2015 is said to have signed the contract on behalf of the government of Ghana for the supply of 200 ambulances.

Reports say the ministry identified some defects on the ambulance upon their arrival.

For instance, they have no medical equipment on board with no working lights on the bodies as well as wrong specification of base units said to be not suitable for ambulances.

LISTEN: AUDIO: Stop making ugly noises over Charlotte Osei’s sack – John Boadu tells NDC

There has been a public outcry over lack of ambulances, following the death of former Vice President, Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur at the 37 Military Hospital.

He died on arrival after being rushed to the facility at the back seat of a Pick-UP vehicle after he collapsed at the Airforce Gym on Friday, 29 June 2018 during a routine workout.

READ MORE: AUDIO:  Ex-security capos to demonstrate over EC boss’ dismissal?

“I don’t want to go into part of the detail because there is an investigation ongoing. Some of the delay I believe was caused by some of the manufacturers because no contract was signed and no payment was made under my tenure”, he said.

According to him, he requested, through a letter to the Ministry of Finance indicating, that no further payment should be made till issues of the ambulances were clarified when he was first briefed over the issue.

Ghana is currently relying on only 55 functioning ambulances in all ten regions in the country, Chief Executive Officer of the National Ambulance Service, (NAS), Professor Ahmed N. Zakariah has said.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s “Ekosii Sen” on Monday, Mr. Zakariah said although the Service had 155 ambulances, 100 have broken down due to various faults, many of them engine-related.

READ ALSO: PHOTO: Woman bites and chews man’s finger

“We have 155 functioning for the whole of Ghana and currently just 55 are on our roads. 100 ambulances are currently faulty. The issue is that most of the vehicles work in places where the road networks are very poor therefore these vehicles tend to develop problems”, he said.

Mr. Zakariah indicated that there were 130 ambulance service stations in the country with each expected to have at least one ambulance.

ALSO READ: Women in Media condemn assault on Multimedia journalist by NPP’s Hajia Fati

But due to the limited number of functioning ambulances in the country, he said, many of the service centers ‘work’ without them.

Mr. Zakariah mentioned also that government has initiated processes to provide 275 ambulances to boost the operations of the National Ambulance Service.

READ MORE:  25 injured as sprinter buses crash at Dominase Junction

According to him, each constituency will be given one of the ambulances.

Prof. Zakariah said there was the need to improve the country’s emergency response systems.

The Health Ministry in 2012 awarded a 2.4 million-Euro contract to a company owned by the special aide to former National Security Advisor, Joseph Nunoo Mensah.

Out of the 200 ambulances expected to be procured through Big Sea Trading LLC, the first 30 of the vehicles supplied were found to be unfit for purpose.

Current Health Minister, Kwaku Agyemang Manu said he will forward the appropriate documents to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to probe the matter.

Sections of Ghanaians have called on the government to prosecute persons who played a role in the awarding of the contract.

But Mr. Alban Bagbin has since dismissed claims that he erred when he signed the contract.

The Nadowli West Member of Parliament (MP) said he is ready to face the law if government finds the agreement to be problematic.

Interacting with journalists in the Upper West Regional capital of Wa Sunday, Mr Bagbin said the issues that have been found with the contract have to do with its implementation.

But speaking on Adom TV’s Morning Show ‘Badwam’ Tuesday, Kennedy Agyapong who claims to have been vindicated by the findings asked the former health minister to stop defending himself which he believes will only undermine his integrity and rather concentrate on how to resolve the issue.

He believes the blame should be left at his (Bagbin) doorstep since he was in control of affairs at that time.

“I quite remember I took this issue of faulty ambulance to parliament but it was thrown out because the NDC who were in power at that time thought I was just making mere allegations but now I’m happy I have been vindicated and now see the mess we are in now. I am now challenging Owusu Bempah and now a political prophet.

“I knew this would come. How can NDC be so wicked to have involved themselves in such rot? Babgin should stop defending himself because attacks on him is in order. They should keep attacking him” he stressed.

The controversial MP further called on government to immediately charge those who played a role in awarding the contract.

“Those who were responsible as far as the contract is concerned should be charged” he urged.

Listen to Kennedy Agyapong

According to National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP for Tamale Central, Alhassan Fuseini Inusah, the government then, had identified that the vehicles were not fit for the purpose.

The revelation has provided fresh information for further probe into why the government single-sourced the contract to one Richard Dzakpa, a former aide of former National Security Coordinator, Joseph Nuno Mensah.

Information Minister, Mustapha Hamid indicated earlier on Newsfile on Joy FM, Saturday, that the contract which was entered between the government and Dzakpa@Business in 2010, did not go through any competitive bidding process.

Mustapha Hamid

“Richard Dzakpa of Dzakpa@Business, was just asked to supply these ambulances to the Ministry of Health,” Mr. Hamid disclosed.

The company then approached a foreign dealer, Big Sea, which then chose Dzakpa@Business as its local agents.

He added further, soon after the arrival of the vehicles into the country, a report on a technical examination conducted on the vehicles in 2015 by global automobile manufacturers, Mercedes Benz, detected as many as 18 different defects on all the vehicles.

The technical report dated February 10, 2016, advised that the government is better off using the vehicles as 13-seater mini-buses because they were not suitable for conversion into ambulances.

The report by the German automobile company also described the electronic gadgets fitted in the vehicles as dangerous and “are of very poor quality”.

Another report dated February 15, 2015, from a similar examination by technical officers from the National Ambulance Service produced virtually same outcomes.

The Information Minister said, Big Sea later shipped the remaining equipment to be fitted in the vehicles but a legal tussle between Big Sea and Dzakpa@Business further stalled the installation process.

Interestingly, however, the government had on August 12, 2014, issued letters of credit for the payment 50% of the cost of the vehicles totaling almost 4million Euros, a year before the technical report reached the government.

The government approved the payment of bank charges in excess of GHȻ806,000.

The non-payment order

A member of the previous administration, Inusah Fuseini was surprised as to how the payments were made because the President then, John Mahama had ordered the “payment should not be effected” because “they were substantially not fit for purpose”.

Charging the state to retrieve payments made for the letters of credit, the former Roads and Highways Minister conceded that, “This transaction has more questions than answers”.

Inusah Fuseini

His colleague, Alex Segbefia who took over from Benjamin Kumbuor at the Health Ministry during the Mahama administration told Joy FM earlier in the week that the fear of judgement prevented him from abrogating the deal.

But Mr. Fuseini was dissatisfied with that reasoning indicating, Alex Segbefia should “have sought the advice from the Attorney-General” when he found himself in two minds.

“What judgement debt are you going to suffer?” when you ordered for rice but you are supplied maize?, he analysed.

He also criticised current Health Minister, Kweku Agyemang Manu making unfounded claims that vehicles had been paid for while he could not provide any documentation to support that claim.

The boy was knocked down by a motorbike and rushed to the hospital Saturday afternoon with severe traumatic brain injury. He was referred to the Korle-By Teaching Hospital due to his critical condition, however, there was no Ambulance to convey the patient for emergency attention.

An eyewitness who helped to rescue the boy to the Hospital in an interview with Starr News said there was no ambulance in the district to convey the boy.

Information gathered by Starr News indicate that, the entire Lower Manya Krobo has been without an Ambulance for several months as the only ambulance has broken down.

Also, Yilo Krobo municipality which shares a boundary with Lower Manya also lacks an Ambulance creating an uncomfortable situation for Doctors and Nurses in Akuse and Atua Government hospitals as well as other health facilities in the districts.

Patients in critical conditions are transported in Commercial vehicles. Several deaths have occurred in the districts as a result of the situation.

The Lower Manya Municipal Health Director, Dr. Akosua Owusu Sarpong told Starr News’ Eastern Regional Correspondent, Kojo Ansah that, the situation is creating a distress for healthcare in the district.

According to her, Doctors in the municipality have been lamenting over the absence of ambulances in the district and its effect on quality healthcare.

According to her, she has made several efforts by writing letters to the district assembly, government, and NGO’s but to no avail.