President Nana Akufo-Addo has called for an end to the politicisation of development initiatives.
The President expressed worry over recent comments seeking to downplay the efficiency of drones in the delivery of medical supplies to hard to reach areas in Ghana.
The President highlighted the benefits of the technology to Ghana’s health delivery system during the commissioning of the second distribution centre of the Fly-To-Save-A-Life project at Mampong in the Ashanti Region.
“Our political opponents went as far as making unfortunate statements such as ‘the drones will be used to take pictures of women bathing in the villages’. Today, we can all see how impactful this service has been. We can’t afford to play politics with everything in this country. The incessant politicisation of all issues does no credit to Ghana politics.”
The first centre located at Omenako in the Eastern Region according to Zipline Management has delivered more than 7,000 critical and emergency medicines and blood products to patients since its launch in April.
The second centre at Mampong is expected to serve sixteen health facilities for the start and will later extend to 100 facilities in the coming days.
Director-General for the Ghana Health Service, Dr Nsiah Asare is hopeful deaths recorded as a result of the unavailability of essential medicines will reduce when more centres are established.
“We can say confidently that so far so good,” Dr. Nsiah Asare said.
“Some of the many referrals that happen as a result of no medication or no blood products are reducing in areas are currently serving.”