The National Ambulance Service (NAS) has firmly refuted claims that its Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) lack adequate training. The rebuttal follows remarks by Prof. Agyeman-Badu Akosa, Chair of the ministerial committee investigating the death of 29‑year‑old Charles Amissah, who suggested during an interview on The Point of View on Channel One TV that insufficient training may have contributed to the tragedy.
In a statement, NAS management described the comments as “sweeping, unfortunate, and capable of eroding public trust in a vital health institution that has served Ghanaians with professionalism and dedication for more than two decades.” While acknowledging the committee’s work, the Service stressed that it “respectfully but firmly rejects this unfortunate assertion.”
The statement issued on Friday, May 22, 2026, detailed the training standards of EMTs, insisting that personnel are adequately prepared through structured professional programmes. “Emergency Medical Technicians of the National Ambulance Service are adequately and professionally trained by qualified Medical Doctors, Emergency Physicians, Paramedics, Nurse Specialists, and other experienced healthcare professionals,” it said.
It added that EMTs undergo “rigorous theoretical and practical training and are duly certified to practice within the approved scope of their profession.” The Service also pointed to its operational record over the past two decades, noting its role in responding to emergencies nationwide.
“For over two decades, the National Ambulance Service has been providing professional pre-hospital emergency medical services across the country, responding to thousands of medical emergencies, road traffic accidents, disasters, and inter-facility transfers with competence and professionalism,” it said.
Management further emphasised ongoing efforts to strengthen capacity, including continuous training and institutional reforms aimed at improving emergency care delivery.
The Service reiterated that it “categorically rejects the assertion that EMTs of the National Ambulance Service are poorly trained,” adding that the dedication of its personnel “continues to save lives daily and deserves commendation rather than generalised disparagement.”
Source: William Narh
