In commemoration of World Heart Day, the National Ambulance Service (NAS) has organized a series of activities in Tema to raise awareness about heart health. As part of the initiative, NAS staff conducted a Basic Life Support (BLS) training session for over 60 personnel from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division.
Themed “Use Heart for Action,” the event aimed to equip customs officers with essential life-saving skills, including Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), choking management, and blood control techniques. The training emphasized the importance of early intervention during emergencies to improve survival rates.
Speaking on behalf of NAS CEO, Prof. Ahmed Nuhu Zakariah, Deputy Director of Public Relations Simmons Yussif Kewura thanked the participants for their dedication and stressed the significance of the skills learned. “No matter your position or background, these skills can help save a life,” he said.
Assistant Commissioner Theresa Potakey, Sector 2IC at the Tema Collection, expressed her gratitude for the initiative, underscoring the relevance of such training for Customs officers. Some participants shared their appreciation, noting that the session had better prepared them to respond to emergencies.
In addition to the BLS training, awareness was also raised about rabies, with a focus on Ghana’s ongoing efforts to control the disease. Dr. William Adu, National Lead of the Animal System Strengthening Project under DEFRA-UK, highlighted that out of 2.5 million dogs in Ghana, only 176,000 have been vaccinated. He stressed that to meet the global target of eradicating rabies deaths by 2030, at least 70% of pets in Ghana must be vaccinated.
World Heart Day, celebrated annually on September 29, seeks to raise global awareness about cardiovascular diseases and promote preventive measures. This year’s activities, held in Tema, were part of a broader effort to educate the public on the symptoms and risks associated with heart disease, encouraging healthier lifestyle choices to reduce the prevalence of cardiovascular conditions.
The National Ambulance Service reaffirmed its commitment to providing Basic Life Support training to schools, organizations, and the general public, ensuring that more people are equipped with life-saving knowledge and skills.
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