Three distribution centres of Zipline, the medical drone delivery service, will reportedly begin shutting down operations due to a lack of funds and delayed government payments.
Dr Nana Ayew Afriye, the Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Health Committee and New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Effiduase-Asokore, told Parliament during the 2026 Budget debate on Tuesday that, the centres at Sefwi Wiawso in the Western North Region, Krachi in the Volta Region, and Anum in the Eastern Region would cease operations beginning November 25, 2025.
The Effiduase-Asokore legislator alleged that the government owed the Zipline centres GH¢175 million, a debt which had crippled the Centres’ ability to continue supplying blood products and essential medicines to remote communities.
Dr Afriye further claimed that the government had disbursed only GH¢4.5 billion to the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), contrary to the GH¢7.5 billion it had announced.
Responding to the claims, Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister of Health and MP for Juaboso, rejected the assertions.
He said the government had indeed paid GH¢7.5 billion into the NHIF to ensure prompt settlement of debt claims to Zipline service providers.
Mr Akandoh added that beyond addressing current challenges, the government in 2026 would begin the construction of three regional hospitals in the Savannah, Oti, and Western North Regions to strengthen healthcare delivery.
The debate highlighted concerns over the sustainability of critical health services, with the suspension of Zipline raising fears among communities that relied on drone deliveries for emergency medical supplies.
Zipline has operated across Africa since 2016, partnering with national governments to deliver blood and medicines to hospitals and health facilities.
The company’s autonomous logistics system has flown more than 120 million commercial autonomous miles and completed over 1.7 million autonomous deliveries with zero safety incidents since its first delivery in Rwanda nine years ago.
Research conducted in partnership with African health ministries and international institutions documents significant health improvements in areas where Zipline operates. Studies show the service helped cut maternal deaths by up to 56 per cent in the Ashanti Region.
