dangerous attempts to ridicule and undermine the Zipline drone delivery system, warning that such narratives threaten the lives of people in remote communities who rely on emergency medical supplies.
Speaking on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News on Friday, November 28, Dr Okoe Boye strongly defended the relevance of the drone service, insisting that Zipline remains one of the fastest and most reliable lifelines for health facilities that lack 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.”
He criticised what he described as excessive politicisation of the programme, noting that claims suggesting drones are used to deliver inappropriate items only serve to discredit 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 said.
Dr Okoe Boye stressed that leadership must prioritise 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.
His remarks come amid increased scrutiny of Zipline’s operations in Parliament. Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has called for the termination of the government’s contract with the company, describing it as a waste of state resources.
The debate heightened after Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin demanded that the Health Minister appear before Parliament next week to update the House on efforts to revive Zipline operations at three centres that have been shut down due to the government’s GH¢175 million indebtedness.
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