Ghana’s medical drone delivery programme is once again at the centre of political controversy as Parliament raises serious concerns about the performance, cost, and relevance of Zipline’s operations. Calls for a full-scale review — and even cancellation — of the contract intensified this week as new revelations emerged about non-payment, stalled operations and doubts over whether the service is still meeting its core mandate.
According to parliamentary sources, a government probe has begun into Zipline’s activities amid claims that the company’s drones — originally contracted to deliver emergency medical supplies — are increasingly being used for ordinary courier services, deviating from their intended purpose.
Three Zipline centres have already halted operations due to the government’s GH₵175 million unpaid debt, prompting renewed scrutiny of the multi-million-dollar agreement.
The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has urged the Leader of Government Business to summon the Health Minister next week to brief Parliament on measures to restore services at the affected centres.But it was the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, who delivered the strongest criticism yet, calling the entire contract “a total waste of state resources.”
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, he argued that the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has the capacity to acquire its own drones at a fraction of the cost.“The most expensive drones don’t even go beyond twenty thousand dollars,” he said.“By now, we would have had drones for every district in this country. Let’s do a total calculation of how much money we have wasted on this Zipline contract.”
Mr.Ayariga insisted that the contract be terminated immediately, adding that the GHS should develop its own in-house drone capacity to handle emergency deliveries such as blood and vaccines.
Sources indicate that Zipline currently receives $800,000 monthly, even under a discounted payment arrangement — a figure that has intensified public debate over value for money, especially at a time when critical service centres have been forced to shut down.
Zipline’s entry into Ghana in 2019 was hailed globally as a groundbreaking initiative — the largest medical drone delivery programme in the world at the time.
The project became closely associated with former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who championed its adoption as part of Ghana’s digital transformation agenda.
The drones were designed to deliver blood, essential medicines, vaccines and other life-saving supplies to remote communities, reducing delays during medical emergencies.
The programme won international praise for its role during the COVID-19 pandemic and various vaccination campaigns.However, it has not been free from political friction.
Critics have long questioned the cost of the agreement, procurement processes, sustainability, and the possibility that Ghana could have developed a similar system locally at a lower cost. Supporters, meanwhile, argue that the system saved lives and positioned Ghana as a leader in innovative health delivery.
With unpaid debts, halted operations, and allegations of mission drift, the once-celebrated project now stands on shaky ground. The government’s ongoing probe is expected to determine the future of the partnership — whether it will be restructured, reduced, or completely terminated.
For now, Parliament has made its position clear: Zipline must justify its relevance, performance and cost to the Ghanaian taxpayer — or risk losing its place in the country’s healthcare delivery system.
