Zipline Refutes Claims of Misusing Drones for Non-Medical Deliveries

Zipline Ghana has dismissed allegations that its drones are frequently being used to deliver non-medical items, insisting that such claims misrepresent the company’s operations.

The clarification follows comments by Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, who suggested that the drone service had shifted away from its core function of supplying critical medical commodities to remote health facilities.

Responding to the claims, Zipline’s Country Manager, Daniel Kwaku Merki, stressed that the organisation remains focused on life-saving medical deliveries and that any instances involving non-medical goods are extremely limited.

According to Mr. Merki, out of the thousands of flights conducted annually, only a very small number have included items such as condoms or educational materials—and even those were dispatched at the request of agencies under the Ministry of Health, not by Zipline’s own initiative.

He explained that all items delivered by Zipline must first appear on the Ministry’s approved list of authorised products, and the company only fulfils official orders submitted through established channels.

Mr. Merki emphasised the life-saving role Zipline continues to play across the country, noting that the service responds to emergencies daily under the guidance of the Ministry of Health.
“Critical commodities that we have transported have saved lives by the thousands,” he stated.

Addressing concerns about whether condoms fall within Zipline’s mandate, he clarified that such items were never delivered as standalone packages. Rather, they appeared as small additions within larger consignments requested by health agencies.

He added that discussions about the content of deliveries should be directed to the Ministry, since Zipline’s responsibility is to operate strictly within the framework provided.

Zipline maintains that its operations remain focused on ensuring rapid, reliable medical support to facilities that rely on its aerial delivery services.

Source: The Ghana Report