National Ambulance Service climaxes 20th anniversary

The National Ambulance Service ( NAS) has held a Dinner and Awards Night to climax the year-long celebration of the Service’s 20 years of dedicated Service to Ghana.

The event, held on the theme,”Two decades of lifesaving journey: celebrating resilience in Ghana’s pre-hospital Emergency Care“,  celebrated the achievements of the service and also honoured deserving members of staff.

It brought together current and past Directors, Board Members, staff of NAS and other partners.

Awards

There were three categories of awards on the night, with each category honouring 16 winners.

The categories included the Best Dispatcher in each Region, Best Station in each region and the Best Emergency Technical Technician.

Speaking at the event as the Guest of Honour, the Minister of Health, Dr Bernard Okoe-Boye, said the government was exploring new ways to enhance the efficiency and capacity of the National Ambulance Service (NAS) to effectively deliver on its mandate as first emergency responders. 

That, he said, included the modernisation of the nation’s fleet of ambulances, the introduction of cutting-edge and advanced medical technologies, as well as improved working conditions of all the staff of the NAS.

“The government recognises the critical importance of the work of the NAS and that is why there is the need to commit to supporting you through continuous investment in training, equipment, and resources, especially with the procurement of the state-of-the-art ambulances for the One Constituency, One Ambulance Project,” he explained. 

Vision 

The Minister of Health stressed that with the government’s determination and visionary leadership, the Ambulance Service would continue to evolve, meeting the healthcare needs of every citizen.

He said as a ministry, it envisioned a future where the service became a model of excellence, not only in Africa but on the global stage, and a future where every Ghanaian, regardless of their location, could count on immediate, high-quality emergency care.

“As we reflect on two decades of growth and service, let us remember that this milestone is a stepping stone to even greater achievements.

This anniversary is not just a moment to look back - it is an opportunity to set our sights on an ambitious future,” Dr Okoe-Boye added. 

The Board Chairman of the NAS Governing Council, Nana Wiafe Ababio, said from humble beginnings, the service had grown into a robust and reliable institution that had transformed emergency medical response across the country. 

He said the success was a result of the unwavering dedication of the staff, leadership of management, the support of government and the collaboration of our partners playing a role in shaping the legacy of the service. 

Nana Ababio, however, said the road ahead would undoubtedly bring new challenges, but it would also present fresh opportunities for innovation, expansion and greater impact. 

“As we reflect on our journey, we must also look ahead with renewed commitment to improving the quality and reach of emergency health care in Ghana. Together, we will continue to build a service that the people of Ghana can trust in their time of need,” he added.