Dr Simon Akayiri Nyaaba, Deputy Director for Policy, Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation (PPME) at the Ghana National Ambulance Service (NAS), has attributed part of the country’s persistent “no bed syndrome” to the ageing of the national ambulance fleet.

Speaking on the Joy Super Morning Show on Wednesday, February 24, 2026, Dr Nyaaba explained that most ambulances currently in service have surpassed their intended lifespan, reducing their operational capacity.

“The lifespan of the ambulance is five years, and the five years actually is not for the Ghanaian road conditions,” he said.

“Now, if you take from 2019 to date, that means that all the ambulances, even those that were introduced in 2019, would have passed their lifespan. And so they would have all had difficulties in one way or the other.”

Dr Nyaaba noted that this reality has increased maintenance demands, with many ambulances spending more time in workshops than attending to emergency cases.

The issue has been thrust into the spotlight following the reported death of 29‑year‑old engineer Charles Amissah, who allegedly died after being moved between three major hospitals in Accra without being admitted because of claimed bed unavailability.

The bulk of the fleet was last significantly expanded in late 2018 and 2019, meaning the vehicles are now in their seventh year of service, well beyond the five-year design lifespan.

Addressing the root causes, Dr Nyaaba called for urgent investment in fleet renewal and better resource planning to ensure ambulances can respond promptly to emergencies and reduce pressure on tertiary hospitals.