The Greater Accra Regional office of the National Ambulance Service (NAS) held its 2024 Annual Performance Review Conference on March 13, 2025, to assess progress, identify challenges, and strategize for the future of pre-hospital emergency medical services in the region.
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:
- Expanding accessibility by opening more ambulance stations in underserved areas.
- Improving response times by training and forming more first-responder groups.
- Conducting regular refresher training for both driver and non-driver EMTs.
- Enhancing fleet management to reduce frequent breakdowns.
- Improving client services for better patient experiences.
- 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.