Ghana’s Zipline Drone Contract Costs Over $500,000 Monthly
Ghana’s Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has revealed the significant financial commitment the government makes to the Zipline drone delivery service, totaling over half a million dollars every month. Speaking at the Government’s Accountability Series Press Conference at the Presidency in Accra, the Minister provided clarity on the contractual agreement for the innovative healthcare delivery system. The disclosure brings to light the substantial operational costs associated with using advanced drone technology to distribute medical supplies across the nation.
Unpacking the Financial Agreement
Detailing the contract, Minister Akandoh recalled that the agreement was originally signed in 2018 and became effective in 2019. A critical component of the deal includes “take or pay” clauses, which legally obligate the government to make payments regardless of the volume of services used. According to the Minister, the terms of this single-sourced contract require the Government of Ghana to pay a fixed fee of $88,000 per distribution center each month. With six operational centers across the country, this commitment results in a total monthly expenditure of slightly more than half a million dollars for the drone services.
The ongoing financial obligation highlights the steep price of maintaining this high-tech logistics network for the healthcare sector. Minister Akandoh added an interesting detail, noting that the initial idea behind the contract was that its implementation would not be funded by the Ghanaian government’s own money. This revelation contrasts with the current reality of the direct monthly payments, raising important considerations about the project’s long-term financial structure and its impact on the national budget.
Keywords
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