Ghana Renews Partnership with Mercy Ships to Strengthen Surgical Care
The Government of Ghana has renewed its partnership with international charity Mercy Ships, confirming that the world’s largest purpose-built hospital ship, the Global Mercy™, will dock at the Port of Tema in August 2026 to deliver free specialised surgeries and medical training.
The announcement followed a meeting between H.E. President John Dramani Mahama and members of the Mercy Ships Board, reaffirming a long-standing collaboration that has brought significant improvements to healthcare in Ghana since 1991. Over the past three decades, Mercy Ships has provided more than 2,600 surgeries, 16,700 dental procedures, and training for 139 healthcare professionals in the country.
President Mahama hailed the partnership, stressing the importance of health to Ghana’s development. “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,” he said.
During the upcoming field service, Ghanaian patients will benefit from a range of surgical procedures including tumour removal, cleft lip and palate repair, paediatric orthopaedic surgery, cataract treatment, reconstructive plastic surgery, obstetric fistula repair, and other general and paediatric surgeries. A nationwide registration process will be launched to identify eligible patients.
Mercy Ships Board Chair and Interim CEO, Gary Brown, expressed enthusiasm at returning to Ghana. “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,” he said.
Beyond surgical care, Mercy Ships has supported the development of Ghana’s National Surgical, Obstetric, and Anaesthesia Plan (NSOAP), working with national stakeholders to strengthen healthcare systems. The upcoming field service will build on this foundation, enhancing medical training, education, and system-wide capacity in partnership with the Ghanaian government.
The 2026 visit will mark Mercy Ships’ fifth mission to Ghana and is expected to have a lasting impact on healthcare delivery and capacity-building across the country.
