The Government of Ghana has renewed its partnership with international charity Mercy Ships, paving the way for the Global Mercy™ hospital ship to dock at the Port of Tema in August 2026. The renewed collaboration was confirmed after a meeting between His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama and members of the Mercy Ships Board.
The Global Mercy™—the world’s largest civilian hospital ship—will provide free specialized surgeries and intensive medical training for Ghanaian healthcare professionals, reinforcing Ghana’s commitment to expanding access to safe and affordable surgical care.
This marks Mercy Ships’ fifth visit to Ghana since 1991, during which the charity has already made a significant impact:
• 2,600+ life-changing surgeries performed
• 16,700 dental procedures completed
• 139 healthcare professionals trained
Building on these achievements, the upcoming field service will further integrate with Ghana’s healthcare development agenda, particularly the National Surgical, Obstetric, and Anaesthesia Plan (NSOAP).
Speaking on the renewed partnership, President Mahama emphasized the importance of healthcare as a national priority:
“Health is not a luxury, it is the foundation of freedom. It is the currency of our dignity. It is our greatest public good, and so I am delighted to welcome Mercy Ships to Ghana next year.”
While docked, the Global Mercy™ will deliver a wide range of free specialized surgeries, including:
• Tumor removal
• Cleft lip and palate repair
• Pediatric orthopedic surgery
• Cataract surgery
• Reconstructive plastic surgery
• Obstetric fistula repair
• General and pediatric surgeries
A nationwide patient registration process will be launched to ensure equitable access for Ghanaians needing care.
Gary Brown, Board Chair and Interim CEO of Mercy Ships, highlighted the importance of collaboration:
“Mercy Ships is honored to return to Ghana, a nation with which we share a rich history of partnership. Together with the Ministry of Health and other partners, we look forward to delivering life-changing surgeries and investing in local surgical training that will strengthen Ghana’s healthcare system for years to come.”
Beyond direct patient care, Mercy Ships will continue to support Ghana’s long-term healthcare goals by:
• Delivering on-ship and off-ship training programs for local medical teams
• Enhancing surgical and anesthesia capacity nationwide
• Supporting the implementation of NSOAP through collaboration with the Ministry of Health and local stakeholders.
The partnership underscores Ghana’s commitment to building a resilient healthcare system while advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on health and well-being.
With the Global Mercy™ based in Ghana in 2026, this collaboration is expected to leave a lasting legacy of surgical capacity, training, and improved access to healthcare for generations to come.
