NAS Nkawkaw records major gains through strategic leadership and teamwork

Leadership is often associated with age and experience. But for Charles Selorm Dumenu, results have become the true measure of leadership.

When he assumed office as the young Municipal Commander of the National Ambulance Service (NAS), Nkawkaw, he inherited a unit with an established record of service. Determined to build on the gains of those who came before him, he pursued a vision focused on modernisation, operational efficiency and community engagement.

In just one year under his leadership, the Nkawkaw Ambulance Unit has recorded significant improvements in infrastructure, emergency response, staff development, community engagement and operational efficiency.

Among the most notable achievements is the introduction of the Municipality-wide School First Aid Training Programme. The initiative covers more than 200 public and private schools and aims to equip thousands of students and teachers with lifesaving first-aid skills, making emergency preparedness a shared community responsibility. So far, many schools have benefited significantly from the programme.

Following the tragic loss of the unit's ambulance in a fatal road traffic crash, Dumenu, working closely with the Municipal Chief Executive of Kwahu West, Hon. Tamimu Halidu; the Municipal Coordinating Director, Mr Daniel Nkrumah; the Management of the National Ambulance Service; the Presidency; the Municipal Security Council (MUSEC); and the Heads of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), Nkawkaw, successfully secured a replacement Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance within just two months.

The swift intervention ensured uninterrupted emergency medical services for residents of Nkawkaw, a municipality with a population of more than 152,000.

Infrastructure development has also received renewed attention. Through collaboration with the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Tamimu Halidu; the Kwahu West Municipal Assembly; the Ahafo Regional Administrator of the National Ambulance Service, SHT Prince Owusu Achena; the Eastern Regional Administrator of NAS; and other stakeholders, construction of an ultra-modern ambulance station commenced and has already reached the lintel level.

Once completed, the facility is expected to significantly improve both staff welfare and patient care.

Recognising that strong institutions are built by strong people, Dumenu has invested heavily in staff development. He has fostered a disciplined, confident and highly professional emergency response team, 60% of whom are female and empowered to take on leading roles.

He has also introduced a structured reading culture by providing books on leadership, financial literacy and personal development, while promoting continuous professional development to strengthen staff competence and professionalism.

To improve public access to emergency services, the Nkawkaw Ambulance Station was officially registered on Google Maps, making it easier for residents and visitors to locate the station during emergencies.

The unit has also seen several operational improvements, including the acquisition of its first fully owned multimedia projector in 21 years, its first modern printer in 21 years, a modern double-door refrigerator to replace an ageing tabletop unit, and a three-seater metallic waiting bench to improve comfort for patients and visitors.

Away from emergency services, Charles Selorm Dumenu is known to many by his stage name, Trey La, a Ghanaian rapper whose music explores social issues, leadership and personal growth.

He is also a prolific writer, with more than 100 published articles, and the author of the book The Money Trey. He is regarded as the first Ghanaian artist to combine the release of a book and a music album centred on a common theme. He is also considered the second artist in Africa to combine a book and a music project, following Nigerian musician Burna Boy, who released a comic book alongside his African Giant album.

Academically, Dumenu holds an MBA in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST); a Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst (FMVA) certification from the Corporate Finance Institute, Canada; a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Education, Winneba; and a Higher National Diploma in Secretaryship and Management from Kumasi Technical University.

He also holds professional certifications in Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Life Support (ALS), Occupational Health and Safety, among others.

For Charles Selorm Dumenu, leadership is about leaving institutions stronger than you found them, and he remains passionate about achieving even more.

He credits these achievements to God, the entire Nkawkaw NAS team, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Ambulance Service, the Eastern Regional Management Team of NAS, Hon. Tamimu Halidu, the Kwahu West Municipal Assembly, SIEMT Scalar Sasu, SEMT Juliana Amponsah Dede, EMT Daniel Osei Nyarko, EMT David Agbekpornu, EMT Tamatey Akler, CMFR Anthony Incoom, SEMT Opoku Agyapong, stakeholders, development partners and his family.