The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, confirmed on Monday, December 1, 2025, that the government is engaged in ongoing discussions with drone delivery service Zipline Ghana regarding the future of their critical medical supply contract.

The minister stressed that, despite public scrutiny and parliamentary pressure, a decision on whether to terminate the partnership has not yet been reached.

Addressing the media during the government’s routine Accountability Series, which provides updates on national projects and policy decisions, Mr Akandoh acknowledged the intense debate surrounding the service’s utility and cost-effectiveness.

When pressed on whether the government would yield to calls to cancel the contract, the minister maintained a stance of careful deliberation, noting that the engagement process is still active.

“Whether or not to cancel Zipline, we have not gotten to that point yet. We are still engaging them. When we get there, you will hear what decision we will take.”

He also directly addressed the public and political debate surrounding the issue, confirming that all stakeholders, including elected officials, are free to voice their concerns.

“I mean, everybody has the right to also express his or her opinion, including members of parliament.”

His comments follow Zipline's decision to ground its drones at three key hubs as state debt soared to GH¢175m.

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The 2026 budget allocated only GH¢20 million to Zipline, which is insufficient to cover the outstanding amount.

The suspension affects services at three key centres (Sefwi Wiawso, Krachi, and Anum).

This will disrupt the delivery of essential medical supplies like blood, vaccines, and medicines to communities in the Western North, Volta, Eastern, and other affected regions.

The Zipline partnership, launched in Ghana in 2019, utilises autonomous drones to deliver essential medical supplies—including blood products, vaccines, and emergency medicines—to remote health facilities, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.

Ghana was one of the first countries in Africa to fully integrate this sophisticated technology into its national healthcare logistics chain.

• Operational Scope: Zipline currently operates multiple distribution centres across Ghana, strategically covering a vast geographical area to ensure critical supplies reach approximately 2,000 health facilities.
• The Controversy: The partnership has faced criticism, primarily concerning the long-term costs of the service, which some public health experts and political figures argue could be better invested in strengthening traditional logistics infrastructure like cold chain vehicles and better road networks. Furthermore, questions have been raised regarding the actual volume of critical items delivered versus the services' overall cost to the taxpayer.

The minister's statement comes amidst sustained pressure from civil society groups and some opposition Members of Parliament who have demanded a transparent cost-benefit analysis of the Zipline agreement.

These critics often cite the need to prioritise public funding for basic health infrastructure.

However, advocates for the service point to Zipline’s proven success in dramatically reducing stock-outs of vital supplies and providing life-saving delivery speed during medical emergencies in areas otherwise cut off by poor terrain or distance.

The ultimate decision by the Ministry of Health will balance the undeniable efficiency of the drone service in emergency and remote settings against the financial sustainability of the long-term contract, a choice which will significantly impact Ghana’s future medical supply logistics.