Deputy Minister of Information Pius Enam Hadzide said he was "taken aback" by the reservations expressed by the Ghana Medical Association as the plan seeks to improve health services, and there had been extensive consultations over it.

The association said the use of drones failed to "conform to the primary healthcare policy" , and would not benefit Ghanaians if more doctors and nurses were not employed to administer the drugs that would be flown to medical centres.

However, the plan looks set to be implemented next year after it was approved by parliament by a majority of 102 to 58. The opposition voted against it.

Opposition MP Cassiel Ato Forson said the government had negotiated an "extremely bad" deal with US-based Zipline International Inc.

He believed the contract had been inflated and proper tendering procedures had not been followed, Ghana's Joy Online news site reported.

The government denied any wrongdoing.