Zipline rebuts claims of misuse of drone deliveries

Zipline Ghana says claims that its drones are being used to frequently deliver non-medical items are inaccurate and do not reflect the true nature of its operations.

The company’s Country Manager, Daniel Kwaku Merki, responded after Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh alleged that the service had strayed from its original purpose of supplying urgent medical essentials to remote communities.

Mr Merki explained that the company’s mandate remains centred on life-saving deliveries and that any non-medical items delivered are extremely rare.

He noted that out of thousands of flights conducted each year, only a tiny fraction involve items such as condoms or educational materials, and even those requests come directly from agencies under the Ministry of Health rather than from Zipline itself.

He explained that every product delivered is approved by the Ministry’s list of authorised items, and Zipline only executes the requests placed through official channels.

According to him, the service has played a crucial role in emergencies across the country and has been credited with saving many lives.

“Critical commodities that we have transported have saved lives by the thousands, and we respond to emergencies every day with the full guidance of the Ministry of Health,” he said.

When questions were raised about whether condoms formed part of Zipline’s original delivery mandate, Mr Merki said the items were never sent as standalone packages.

Instead, they appeared as minor additions within broader consignments requested by health agencies.

He added that discussions about the content of deliveries should be directed to the Ministry since Zipline only operates within the framework it receives.

The company maintains that its operations continue to focus on timely medical support for facilities that depend on aerial delivery services.