Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga is calling for the cancellation of Zipline’s contract with the Ghana Health Service (GHS), citing the high annual cost of GH¢170 million for drone deliveries of essential medical supplies. Ayariga argues that GHS should develop its own drone capabilities, as drones are relatively inexpensive, costing between $4,000 to $20,000. He believes this would save the country a significant amount of money and allow for more efficient delivery of medical supplies to remote areas.
Ayariga also pointed out that Ghana has an extensive road network, and improving these roads could be a more cost-effective solution for delivering medical supplies. The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has expressed concerns about the impact of canceling the contract on rural healthcare, as Zipline plays a critical role in delivering medications and blood to remote areas.
The government has already announced the cancellation of the Zipline contract, with three Zipline centers shut down due to outstanding claims of over GH¢170 million. The Health Minister is expected to address Parliament on measures to deal with the situation.
