Former Minister of Health, Dr Bernard Okoe Boye, has cautioned political actors against what he describes as dangerous attempts to ridicule and undermine the Zipline drone delivery system, insisting that such narratives threaten lives in remote communities that depend on emergency medical deliveries.
Speaking on Citi Eyewitness News on Friday, November 28, Dr Okoe Boye defended the relevance of the service, stressing that drone delivery remains one of the fastest lifelines for health facilities lacking urgent medical supplies.
“If a centre does not have a blood-related product and needs it urgently, when you WhatsApp Zipline, they will fly with the stock they have and drop the vaccine at the hospital compound,” he explained. “By doing this, you save time calling people. If you have to drive five hours, it could be done by Zipline in 25 minutes.”
Dr Okoe Boye criticised what he described as excessive politicisation of the programme, warning that such commentary jeopardises essential medical interventions. According to him, claims that drones are being used to deliver inappropriate items only seek to ridicule and discredit a system that has proven valuable in saving lives.
“This talk is an attempt to ridicule the whole project and throw it away. Sometimes, too much politics can endanger lives,” he said.
He emphasised that leadership should focus on enhancing life-saving systems rather than attacking them for political convenience. “The essence of a politician or a leader is not to rest and make yourself comfortable but to work so hard that those far away from you can receive some help when they need it most,” he added.
His defence of Zipline comes at a time when the service faces increasing scrutiny in Parliament. Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has called for the outright termination of the government’s contract with the drone company, describing the arrangement as a waste of state resources.
The debate intensified after Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin demanded that the Health Minister appear before Parliament next week to brief the House on steps being taken to revive Zipline operations at three centres that have been shut down due to the government’s GH₵175 million indebtedness.