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The Ghana Health Service (GHS) and President John Dramani Mahama have issued a joint statement to clear up widespread misconceptions circulating on social media about the tricycles being deployed under the Free Primary Healthcare (FPHC) initiative. The public was misinformed by viral videos falsely depicting the tricycles as ambulances. The GHS and the President have clarified that these tricycles are not ambulances, but rather specialized transport solutions to assist community health workers in reaching remote areas.
In a press release dated Saturday, April 18, 2026, GHS emphasized that the tricycles were never intended to serve as emergency vehicles. “These FPHC tricycles are not ambulances and have not been procured for that purpose. The Service has been successfully using such tricycles for outreach activities for some years now,” said Director-General Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea.
Speaking at a sod-cutting ceremony on the same day, President Mahama directly addressed the misunderstanding, stressing that the tricycles were designed to enhance healthcare delivery at the community level. “There are over 6,000 CHPS compounds across Ghana. Among the equipment we provided were motorcycles and tricycles. Let me clarify, these tricycles are not ambulances,” he stated.
He further explained that the tricycles are fitted with compartments designed to store vaccines at the proper temperature, ensuring they remain viable during outreach missions. These vehicles will primarily be used by health workers and volunteers to travel between villages, conducting health screenings and providing essential services, particularly in regions where mobility is a challenge.
The President also highlighted that the distribution of motorcycles and tricycles has been customized to suit regional needs. In northern Ghana, where health workers are able to ride motorcycles, they are being provided with motorcycles. In contrast, in the southern parts of the country, where motorcycles may be difficult to use, tricycles are being deployed instead.
“These vehicles are for health workers to deliver screenings, immunizations, and other preventive health services. They are not emergency response vehicles,” President Mahama reiterated.
The GHS further explained that the tricycles and motorbikes are part of a larger initiative to improve healthcare delivery in hard-to-reach areas, especially rural and peri-urban communities. The program aims to make quality primary healthcare accessible to all Ghanaians, particularly in underserved regions.
Unlike motorcycles, the tricycles are equipped with cargo compartments that allow health workers to transport essential medical supplies, vaccines, diagnostic tools, and health education materials for outreach activities and home visits. The GHS also noted that the tricycles provide greater stability and safety, especially in challenging terrains, and are more suitable for a wide range of health workers, including female Community Health Nurses.
The public has been urged to disregard any misinformation surrounding the initiative, which remains focused on improving access to preventive healthcare services, including screenings for hypertension, diabetes, and other conditions.
The Free Primary Healthcare initiative, which launched this month, is set to roll out in 150 districts in its first phase. This effort is aimed at strengthening preventive healthcare and expanding access to universal health coverage in Ghana.
Story by Efua Nessa
Source: Loco tv