Stop Politicising Zipline Drone Service – Okoe Boye Warns

Dr Okoe Boye has cautioned against attempts to politicise and discredit the Zipline drone delivery system, saying such narratives endanger the lives of people in remote communities who depend on emergency medical supplies.

Speaking on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News on Friday, November 28, the former Health Minister defended the relevance of Zipline, describing it as one of the fastest and most reliable 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 Boye criticised what he described as the excessive politicisation of the programme, noting that claims suggesting drones are used to deliver inappropriate items only serve to undermine a system that has saved numerous lives.

“This talk is an attempt to ridicule the whole project and throw it away. Sometimes, too much politics can endanger lives,” he warned.

He further stressed that political and community leaders should focus on strengthening life-saving systems rather than attacking them for political gain.

“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.

Dr Boye’s comments come amid heightened scrutiny of Zipline operations in Parliament. Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has called for the termination of the government’s contract with the company, labelling it a waste of state resources, while Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has demanded that the Health Minister brief Parliament next week on efforts to revive operations at three centres that have been shut down due to the government’s GH¢175 million indebtedness.