Mercy Ships Ghana Partnership Renewed for Surgical Care
The government has renewed its Mercy Ships Ghana partnership. This agreement means the hospital ship, the Global Mercy, will soon dock in Ghana. It is scheduled to arrive at the Port of Tema in August 2026. The vessel will provide free, specialized surgical care to hundreds of Ghanaians. It will also offer intensive training for local healthcare professionals. A high-level meeting at Jubilee House in Accra reaffirmed the collaboration. President John Dramani Mahama met with a delegation from the Mercy Ships Board of Directors. This marks the fifth time the organization has brought its medical mission to Ghana, building on a legacy of collaboration that began in 1991.
Previous visits to Ghana produced over 2,600 life-changing surgeries. In addition, they provided 16,700 dental procedures. Mercy Ships also trained 139 Ghanaian medical professionals. During its stay, the floating hospital will offer a wide range of specialized procedures at no cost to patients. These include tumour removal and cleft lip repair. The ship also provides paediatric orthopaedic surgery, cataract surgery, and reconstructive plastic surgery. Furthermore, it offers obstetric fistula repair.
President Mahama emphasized healthcare’s critical importance. “Health is not a luxury; it is the foundation of freedom,” he stated. “It is the currency of our dignity.” He expressed delight to welcome Mercy Ships back to Ghana. A nationwide patient registration process will be announced soon to help identify eligible individuals.
Beyond the direct surgical services, the Mercy Ships Ghana partnership focuses on strengthening Ghana’s long-term health system. Mercy Ships has been a key supporter in the development of Ghana’s National Surgical, Obstetric, and Anaesthesia Plan (NSOAP). The presence of the Global Mercy will further this collaboration. It will provide a platform for advanced training, mentoring, and skills transfer. This training is for Ghanaian doctors, nurses, and biomedical engineers.
The Board Chairperson and Interim CEO of Mercy Ships, Gary Brown, expressed his honor at the return to Ghana. “We look forward to delivering life-changing surgeries,” he said. He also emphasized their investment in local surgical training. He believes this will strengthen Ghana’s healthcare system for years to come. This collaboration will leave a lasting impact on the country’s surgical capacity.
Source: Ghana News Agency (GNA)
