The Clinical Auditor for the Southern Zone of the National Ambulance Service, Martin Ewuah Amoah, has disclosed that a worrying number of ambulances across the country are currently off the road, raising fresh concerns about emergency healthcare delivery.

Speaking in an interview on Channel One TV in Accra, Mr. Amoah revealed that out of 318 ambulances serving the nation, only 191 are operational, while 127 have broken down and are no longer in service.

According to him, the situation is largely the result of an aging fleet that has exceeded its recommended lifespan.

“Ambulances are designed to last about five years,” he explained. “Once they go beyond that period without replacement, maintenance problems become inevitable. If new vehicles are not introduced in time, the system begins to strain.”

He noted that while routine maintenance can extend usage for a while, it cannot substitute for a structured fleet replacement programme, warning that continued delays will only worsen breakdowns and response times.

Death That Sparked Public Outcry


Mr. Amoah’s comments come in the wake of the tragic death of Charles Amissah, a 29-year-old engineer with Promasidor Ghana Limited, makers of Cowbell milk and other food products.

Amissah was reportedly knocked down in a hit-and-run accident at the Circle Overpass in Accra on February 6, 2026. Emergency medical technicians from the National Ambulance Service attended to him at the scene and stabilised his condition.

However, what followed has ignited public anger and renewed debate about the state of emergency healthcare in Ghana.

Despite being in critical need of advanced care, Amissah was unable to secure admission at Accra Ridge Hospital, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, and the Police Hospital over a period of nearly three hours, reportedly due to a shortage of available beds.

He eventually succumbed to his injuries.

A System Under Pressure


The incident has once again highlighted deep structural challenges within Ghana’s emergency response and healthcare systems — from aging ambulances to overwhelmed hospitals.

For many observers, the numbers shared by Mr. Amoah offer a sobering explanation: when nearly 40 percent of ambulances are grounded, every emergency becomes a race against time — one the system may not always win.