Zipline Deal: Government Spends Over $500K Monthly on Drone Services – Akandoh

By Iddi Yire, GNA Accra, Dec. 01, GNA – Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister of Health, has explained the details regarding the Zipline c...

By Iddi Yire, GNA

Accra, Dec. 01, GNA – Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister of Health, has explained the details regarding the Zipline contract for delivering drone services in healthcare.

At the Government's Accountability Series Press Conference held at the Presidency in Accra, Mr. Akandoh mentioned that an agreement was finalized in 2018, becoming effective in 2019.

He mentioned that as part of the contract, there were provisions called "take or pay" in the agreement, which indicated that the contract was sourced in that manner.

"Right now, the Ghana Government is required to pay $88,000 per center each month," he stated.

He mentioned there were six facilities, indicating the Government was spending just over half a million dollars each month for the drone services.

"What's more intriguing, I believe everyone should be aware of, is the fact that at the start of this agreement, the intention was that we wouldn't use funds from the Ghanaian government to cover the costs of the drone services," he stated.

Citing the Hansard of Parliament, the Health Minister mentioned that his predecessor, Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, was questioned in the House about why the signature of the Finance Minister was absent from the contract.

He mentioned Mr. Agyeman-Manu, among other points, stating: “Mr. Speaker, I would like to emphasize once more that the honorable finance minister did not sign because this will not be handled from the consolidated fund. The public funds will not be involved here.”

Mr. Akandoh mentioned that the entire conversation was related to the fact that they would not be using funds from the Government of Ghana.

He mentioned that other stakeholders were involved and that he had the chance to confirm with them, including the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) at that time; noting that the same point was made.

The Minister mentioned that, in addition to stating this in the house, the Ghanaian government had spent a significant amount of money on Zipline.

Mr. Akandoh mentioned that, in addition to other tasks, their services focused on remote regions and emergency support. However, after reviewing their operations, it was found that remote areas made up just 12 percent of their work, with emergency services representing four percent of their activities.

He mentioned that it was intriguing to observe that certain items, including condoms, blood donor cards, not blood, mosquito nets, food and nutrition supplies, adhesive tapes, syringes and needles, as well as educational materials such as textbooks, workbooks, and uniforms, were among those transported.

Here are some of the items they have been delivering. When we took office, we believed there was potential for cost-effectiveness. That's why we are working with them. So if you hear that we aren't working with Zipline, that's false. We have met more than three times, and we continue to engage with them to see how we can achieve value for money.

Mr. Akandoh stated that the President had instructed them to carry out these tasks, adding, "That in each of our ministries, we must ensure that whatever we are doing, we achieve good value for money."

GNA Edited by Christabel Addo

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