Minimizing, responding and managing disasters has been of great concern to all nations and Ghana’s initiative and policies in this direction has seen the establishment of the Ghana National Ambulance Service (NAS).Ever since the organisation commenced its operations, little has been known about its operational framework, its humanitarian logistics needs and challenges through empirical research. The study focused on the Ashanti regional branches of NAS and collected data from the management and sixty-one staff using interviews and questionnaires respectively. Data were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively. The study’s findings indicates that NAS has, to some extent, played a key role over the years and has been successful in responding to disasters, and this manifests in its ability to swiftly respond to disasters, alleviate discomfort of victims and minimize mortality rates as well as being cost-effective. NAS’s operational constraints were found to lie within humanitarian logistics needs like: human resources, equipment and supplies as well as funding and support from disaster management stakeholders. Specific challenges to NAS were found to include: inadequate and lack of appropriate communication devices and systems, paramedic materials, and protective clothing; location and accessibility problem, poor road network and poor road quality and funding and external support. Lastly, the findings indicate that the NAS’s ability to respond to disasters and recuperate victims greatly depends on its preparedness and as well as the role of stakeholder in addressing above listed challenges. Based on these findings, the researcherss recommends a total stakeholder collaboration and support, a broadened scope for sources of funding, improved road quality and network system, street naming and address system, and deployment of up-to-date information system. Further studies should also be conducted by focusing on responses from other stakeholder in order to verify the findings of this present study.
