Zipline Ghana’s drone delivery service is embroiled in significant controversy, with Minister of Health Kwabena Mintah Akandoh raising serious concerns about its contractual integrity and value for money. Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, December 1, 2025, the Minister revealed a drastic deviation from the service's original mandate, compounded by a colossal financial burden on the state.

The core purpose of the Zipline contract, launched in 2019, was to deliver essential medical supplies to hard-to-reach areas and provide critical emergency medical services. However, a review by the Minister exposed that only 12% of Zipline’s activities concentrate on hard-to-reach areas, and a mere 4% are dedicated to emergency services. This means a staggering 84% of their operations fall outside the scope of their intended mission. Mr. Akandoh detailed a list of common items being transported by the expensive drone service, many of which could be delivered more cost-effectively through traditional logistics. These items include condoms, blood-donor cards, mosquito nets, food and nutrition items, adhesive tapes, syringes and needles, as well as education materials like textbooks and school uniforms. The revelation that non-emergency items are prioritized over vital blood and vaccines has fueled public criticism regarding government spending on the contract.

Compounding the operational concerns is a severe financial strain. Zipline is reportedly owed an outstanding GH¢174-175 million by the government. Minister Akandoh further clarified the terms of the 2018 'take-or-pay' sole-sourced contract, which mandates fixed monthly payments regardless of the volume or nature of deliveries. For each of Zipline's six operational hubs, the government is obligated to pay $88,000 monthly, totaling over $500,000 per month. This inflexible agreement binds the government to continuous payments, hindering fiscal flexibility. The 2026 budget allocated only GH¢20 million to Zipline, which is significantly insufficient to cover the outstanding debt, a situation that has already led to the closure of three key operational centres (Sefwi Wiawso, Krachi, and Anum). These closures disrupt the delivery of essential medical supplies to communities in affected regions, including Western North, Volta, and Eastern.

Despite intense public scrutiny and parliamentary pressure, including calls for contract termination from figures like Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, who described the scheme as