Gbande fires back at critics of medical rickshaws

Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mustapha Gbande, has rejected claims by political opponents that the government is presenting rickshaw bikes as ambulances, describing such assertions as not just misleading but a disappointing development.

Speaking on Ade Akye Abia on Okay FM on April 20, 2026, Gbande criticised communicators of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for what he said was a deliberate attempt to downplay a Ministry of Health (MoH) initiative aimed at improving healthcare delivery in underserved areas.

According to him, the rickshaw bikes are not intended to replace ambulances but are instead designed to transport medical supplies and personnel to hard-to-reach communities.

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“The claim that NDC is using rickshaw bikes as ambulances is very disappointing. These rickshaw bikes are meant to reach the hinterlands to bridge the gap in healthcare, especially for deprived communities that struggle to access vaccines and other critical medical aid,” Gbande said.

He emphasised that the initiative is part of broader efforts by the Ministry of Health to improve access to healthcare services in rural and remote areas where infrastructure challenges often hinder timely medical intervention.

Gbande referenced a recent viral incident in Mepe involving a pregnant woman who had to be escorted on foot over poor road conditions to seek medical care, arguing that such situations highlight the urgent need for innovative solutions.

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“We all saw the video of a pregnant woman being conveyed on foot through unmotorable roads to access healthcare. With such interventions, nurses could reach patients earlier or advise them to relocate before labour,” he noted.

He urged critics to move beyond partisan politics and recognise the practical benefits of the initiative.

“They should look beyond politics and see the efforts being made to reach hard-to-reach areas and improve healthcare for rural communities,” Gbande added.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has dismissed viral social media reports suggesting that tricycles procured under the government's Free Primary Health Care initiative are being used as ambulances.

In a press release issued on April 18, 2026, the Service described the claims as false and misleading, clarifying that the tricycles were not acquired for ambulance services.

According to the GHS, the tricycles form part of a broader strategy to improve healthcare delivery at the community level, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas.

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