No Shortcut to Development: The Drone Corridor is not Viable a Development Project

If there is one thing most of our leaders in Africa have consistently failed to understand, it's the fact that there is no shortcut to development. Development is a multifaceted never ending journey. Yet we know one thing for sure, one needs to understand/observe the landscape of any  pathway s/he chooses when s/he journeys out to a far away undiscovered land. At least, not fully discovered. That action to study the landscape of a pathway is what we can refer to being strategic; being systematic; and being visionary. But it's rather unfortunate that most of our leaders (I say most owing to the fact that Africa is host to majority of the developing countries) lack that visionary attribute. This is as a result of many things, one of which being lack of "honesty." Most of our African leaders are not honest. We can debate about the quantifier "most" later. Meanwhile, let's deal with this drone project funded by UNICEF.
Yes the "Drones for Good" project was funded by UNICEF in partnership with the Sierra Leone's Directorate of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI). Imagining the capacity of the DSTI, it is safe to say it's fully funded by UNICEF. But why should we be concerned about it, and especially at this time since its launch on 29th November, 2019? Well, because apart from it being a none viable development project, it still has the propensity to deny us the true development we deserve.
According to the WHO (see: https://reliefweb.int/report/sierra-leone/drones-good-corridor-launched-drones-take-flight-deliver-medicine-remote-areas), maternal mortality rate in Sierra Leone is one of the highest in the world with 1,165 per 100,000 live births. And according to a report by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation National Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health Strategy 2017-2021, up to 46% of maternal deaths are as a result of blood loss (obstetric hemorrhage). The drone for good corridor is basically meant to facilitate the delivery of medical supply to hard-to-reach areas within 200km square airspace in order to save lives in emergency response actions, especially those related to maternal health care. Other use may include agroforestry and geospatial mapping (that could be later). This initiative is however not new to Africa. Rwanda has had it since October, 2016. It's believed to supply more than 65% of blood outside the capital Kigali. Ghana has had theirs in April l, 2019 (too).
I want us to note few words (like: "most efficient) in the excerpt taken from His Excellency President Bio's speech during the launching of the programme: "It is time for Sierra Leone and other developing countries to take the lead in solving our developmental challenges, such as maternal mortality. My Government has prioritised technology and innovation as an essential part of our solutions package. Using fourth industrial revolution technologies to accelerate our development goals is not an option--it is the only way we can quickly and most efficiently address the huge problems existing for our people." I want to say that's not an accurate proposition. This drones are not most efficient a response to the huge problems existing in those areas. As a matter of fact, they may worsen the appalling conditions of hard-to-reach rural areas.
As beautiful as all the project ideas (especially the one that has to do with maternal health care) may sound, we are forgetting to ask what that will mean for infrastructural development in those areas. Yes, this drone can deliver medical supplies for emergency response, but sure drones cannot transport a pregnant woman in urgent need of better medical attention than offered in those hard-to-reach areas. Sure also the drone cannot facilitate easy access to better hospitals/medical centers for pregnant women in those hard-to-reach areas. And sure the drones cannot facilitate the transportation of needed medical exparts and interventionists to those areas.
It's with no hesitation I say that this project will give our leaders more reasons to relax in delivering the development aspirations of their people. They have a duty to facilitate movement to those hard-to-reach areas by constructing roads. Using drones as development intervention to those areas is equivalent to putting the "cart before the horse."
African leaders should stop seeking shortcut to development and develop the courage to face the problems of their people. Drone use will only be most effective when the areas are cleared from being hard-to-reach areas. Maternal health and maternal emergency response does not start nor end with emergency medical supply. It starts with supplying the needed development requirements in those areas that will improve livelihood and movement. The construction of  roads cannot only help make those areas accessible to medical staff and expart- interventionists, but also expand pregnant women's choice to medical care. With good roads they can choose to seek medical care where they think is safer or more affordable without any fear of accident or danger. With roads they can easily sell their produce to nearby communities and take care of their medical needs and enhance livelihood. With good roads, their communities can attract some of the best medical practitioners and civil servants. What is the use of emergency medical supply when the doctors to administer the drugs to them are stuck on the road to those areas from their visit to a nearby village?
A viable development intervention in the form of emergency medical intervention starts and end with expanding people's choice. Construct the roads and expand their choice to a medical care/attention they need.
Some would argue that, the drones are not bought by the government, they are for free. I would say, yes, but they will give them more reasons to drag their feet in responding to the development needs of especially rural areas. For a more Sustainable Development intervention, roads leading to those areas should be constructed.  UNICEF should instead support in the construction of roads if they truly want to alleviate people's suffering in those areas.
Meanwhile, as a conclusion,I would like to end this piece by recommending that academics consider conducting "research" projects on this. To know the development implications of medical-drone intervention (particularly, with regards livelihood and infrastructure).
#My_View
©Amadu Wurie Jalloh
®The Emmanuel Ivorgba Foundation
® Students Analysts and Writers Network
11/02/2020

Over 34,000 persons tested positive of the virus (globally). Death toll is 636 (as at recent report). 41 passengers in a cruise ship in Japan tested positive. The virus infiltrated in many parts of the West and Asia.
Lucky for Africa, no positive case tested in the continent just yet. Taken into consideration the capacity of many states in Africa, and the ignorance/stubbornness of many of its citizenry, I would advise Africa puts a travel ban to/from mainland China or put measures to screen in comers thoroughly to protect its citizens. This will hurt the economies a lot. It already may have started showing symptoms. Business people in Freetown (capital of Sierra Leone) have been accused of blaming the Coronavirus for the incessant increase in price.
Come to think of how it will slowdown supply due to security checks. How it will discourage several business persons to travel to China for merchant. Nation states will eventually start to even scan goods from the country. It will be hard for Africa. But what will be harder than containing a virus that a greater nation like China (economically) itself finds difficult to contain?
There are several undiscovered things about the virus at now. Vaccine development could be difficult if a source is not known. We cannot tell how this virus will perform in the tropics and other regions.
It's not hatred or lack of sympathy, but rather protection of a much more vulnerable people. Many African sates are less equipped to tackle breakouts like this. And our interactiveness in all spheres will create a room for its rapid spread in the community than in any other civilization. We don't know yet how equipped we are with face-mask or other protective gears to prevent its spread. We are prayerful people. We all know the first place our people will flood when such things occur (God forbid), the Churches and Mosques. Places where they will spread easily and rapidly. So please save us the worries. Be proactive for once.
My heart and prayer to China and its loving citizens. God help us all.
© Amadu Wurie Jalloh
® Students Analysts and Writers Network
®The Emmanuel Ivorgba Foundation