Ghana will add 100 new ambulances to its national fleet in 2027, the government announced as part of efforts to improve emergency medical services. Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh revealed the plan during an interview on Joy News’ PM Express on Wednesday.
The announcement came amid efforts to address a fleet that was, until recently, largely grounded and uninsured. “As I speak to you now, we have more than 200 ambulances functioning,” Akandoh said. The government has since insured the ambulances and restored many to service.
The expansion will replenish the fleet with new vehicles to meet growing demand. The minister did not specify how the 100 new ambulances would be distributed but suggested the government might prioritise areas where the current ambulances are faulty or non-functional.
“We have not taken the decision yet, but I believe that if you have an ambulance within a particular area, and that ambulance is faulty, or is no longer functional, it’s only fair to replace that ambulance,” Akandoh said.
The government is also reviewing the previous “one constituency, one ambulance” policy. “We think about what they did, the pros and cons of the system we’ve tried: can we continue, or do we have to review it as a country?” he added.
The ambulance expansion is part of wider measures by the Health Ministry to improve emergency care across the country. Alongside the fleet increase, the ministry is piloting an electronic emergency bed management system at the Ridge Hospital command centre.
The system is designed to give health authorities real-time data on available emergency beds, improving the management of limited capacity. It will also flag patients remaining in emergency units for over 24 hours, prompting investigation into delays.
Emergency capacity is also being expanded at major hospitals, including Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Tamale Teaching Hospital, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, and the 37 Military Hospital. These upgrades follow recommendations targeting systemic improvements in Ghana’s emergency care.
The government’s move to add 100 ambulances by 2027 comes after inheriting a fleet in disrepair and without insurance. The current operational count of over 200 ambulances reflects recent restoration efforts but responds to ongoing challenges of emergency response coverage and equipment reliability.
How the new ambulances will be allocated remains undecided. The previous constituency-based distribution model, while broad, faced criticism for uneven service quality and operational issues. The government’s review indicates potential changes in approach.
Meanwhile, the electronic bed management system at Ridge Hospital represents an attempt to streamline emergency patient flow. The command centre’s pilot phase aims to reduce bottlenecks in emergency units and optimise bed use in a health system often stretched thin.
The expansion of emergency departments at the country’s major teaching hospitals and military hospital shows a parallel focus on capacity building in facilities receiving critical cases.
The government plans to implement these measures as part of a broader strategy to improve emergency care delivery across Ghana.
According to Joy Online.
