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The National Ambulance Service (NAS) has taken over its newly renovated and expanded District Office at Tongo in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region, marking an important milestone in efforts to strengthen prehospital emergency care and improve access to timely emergency medical services in the district and surrounding communities.
The facility was renovated under the Holistic Opportunity for Positive Engagement for Maternal and Child Health Care (HOPE-MCH) Project, through the support of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and funding from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The intervention forms part of broader efforts to improve maternal and child healthcare, particularly for communities that face challenges accessing timely healthcare and emergency referral services.
The handover ceremony brought together representatives of CRS Ghana, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, NAS, the Ghana Health Service, the Talensi District Assembly, traditional leaders and other stakeholders. The funders were represented by Madam Honey Cross from Utah, USA, while CRS Ghana was represented by its Health Programs Manager, Mr Halique Adam.
Speaking at the ceremony on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer of NAS, Dr. (Med.) George Kojo Owusu, the Deputy Director of Planning, Policy, Monitoring and Evaluation (PPME), Dr. Simon Akayiri Nyaaba, expressed appreciation to CRS and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for their support and investment in strengthening emergency medical services.
Dr. Nyaaba noted that the intervention goes beyond the physical renovation of the facility, describing it as a collective investment in saving lives and improving access to timely, reliable and life-saving emergency medical care. He added that the upgraded facility will enhance operational readiness, improve staff working conditions and support efficient emergency response across Talensi and neighbouring communities.
Mr Halique Adam explained that the HOPE-MCH Project is founded on the principle that improving maternal and newborn outcomes requires more than strengthening health facilities. He noted the importance of equipping families and communities with the knowledge and support needed to seek care while strengthening systems that facilitate access to healthcare.
He further highlighted the longstanding collaboration between CRS and NAS in strengthening emergency referral systems, stressing that timely and well-coordinated emergency response is critical to saving lives. This collaboration has also contributed to the introduction of Modified MotorKing Ambulances to improve access to healthcare for women and children in hard-to-reach communities.
Also present at the ceremony were the Tongoraana, Paramount Chief of Tongo, the Talensi District Chief Executive, the Member of Parliament for Talensi, the Ag. Director of Operations of NAS, Dr. Ali Baba Awini, the Upper East Regional Administrative Manager, DCAEMT R. A. Azudaa, NAS staff and other development partners.
The handover of the renovated and expanded facility represents a significant step towards strengthening emergency referral and ambulance services in Talensi. Ultimately, the true impact of the intervention will be measured not by the structure itself, but by the emergencies responded to, lives saved and renewed hope extended to individuals and families in their most critical moments.
