Zipline Extends Lifeline: GHS Commends Expanded Vaccine Access Program to 2026

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The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has lauded Zipline Ghana for its decision to extend its vaccine access program from 2024 to 2026, further bridging gaps in vaccine delivery to underserved and hard-to-reach areas in the country.


At the launch of the initiative, "Expanding Vaccine Access in Ghana 2024–2026," held at the Zipline Distribution Center in Omenako, Eastern Region, the Director of Public Health, Frank Asiedu Bekoe, commended Zipline's transformative role in addressing healthcare accessibility challenges over the past five years. Speaking on behalf of the GHS Director-General, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Mr. Bekoe highlighted Zipline's significant contributions to emergency vaccine delivery, especially in remote areas.

"For the past five years, Zipline's vaccine drone intervention has effectively addressed access issues in hard-to-reach areas during emergencies," Bekoe remarked. He added that the partnership with Zipline has enabled the GHS to achieve remarkable milestones in healthcare delivery, emphasizing that extending the program to 2026 will ensure broader coverage and improved service delivery across more underserved districts.


Daniel Kwaku Merki, the Country Lead for Zipline Ghana, elaborated on the expansion's objectives. He noted that Zipline's collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the GHS, Gavi, and the Vaccine Alliance aims to enhance vaccination rates nationwide by 25 percentage points. Since the onset of its operations, Zipline has delivered over 15 million vaccine doses across Ghana, with plans to target an additional 68 underserved districts during this program phase.

“Our goal with this expansion is to improve vaccination rates in the most underserved regions, ensuring equitable access to essential healthcare services,” Merki stated. He emphasized that the extended program reflects Zipline's commitment to using cutting-edge technology to tackle Ghana's healthcare challenges.

Zipline, a U.S.-based medical drone delivery company, began operations in Ghana in April 2019 as part of a partnership with the government to revolutionize healthcare delivery. Initially focusing on delivering emergency medical supplies, including blood and essential medicines, Zipline quickly expanded its services to include vaccine distribution.


The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical importance of Zipline's operations, enabling the rapid and efficient distribution of vaccines to rural and hard-to-reach areas. Ghana became a global leader in leveraging drone technology for public health, with Zipline's success serving as a model for other countries.

Today, Zipline operates several distribution centers across Ghana, including in Omenako, Mampong, Vobsi, and Sefwi Wiawso, ensuring lifesaving supplies reach over 2,000 health facilities. The expansion of its vaccine delivery program to 2026 underscores its ongoing impact in transforming healthcare access and equity.



As Ghana seeks to strengthen its healthcare infrastructure, the extension of the Zipline vaccine access program signals a renewed commitment to innovation and inclusivity. With continued collaboration between Zipline, the GHS, and international partners, Ghana is poised to enhance its healthcare delivery systems and improve the well-being of its citizens, especially in marginalized communities.


This initiative not only demonstrates the power of technology in addressing healthcare challenges but also positions Ghana as a beacon of innovation in Africa’s public health landscape.


Credit: Nana Kwasi Asare 








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