The Global Mercy, the world’s largest civilian hospital ship, has docked at Tema Port to commence a ten-month field service delivering free medical interventions to thousands of Ghanaians. Marking the fifth visit by international charity Mercy Ships to Ghana, the vessel’s arrival was heralded at a colourful welcome ceremony attended by government officials, diplomats, healthcare leaders and international crew members.
During its stay, the vessel’s volunteer medical team expects to perform between 1,950 and 2,600 free surgeries alongside 1,610 to 2,145 dental procedures. Alongside direct clinical care, the team will mentor, educate and offer clinical placements aboard the ship to between 100 and 250 local healthcare professionals to strengthen domestic capacity.
Speaking at the arrival ceremony, Minister for Health Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh described the visit as a continuation of a partnership spanning over three decades, representing the first field service since both entities reaffirmed their collaboration in 2025. He noted that the initiative directly complements Ghana’s National Surgical, Obstetric and Anaesthesia Plan (NSOAP), which was launched in 2024 to widen access to safe and equitable surgical services across the nation.
“It is therefore important that we view the arrival of the Global Mercy not as a stand-alone intervention, but as a collaborative effort to support and accelerate Ghana’s own national priorities,” the Minister said, adding that the true measure of success would be the field service’s lasting impact on patients, healthcare workers and institutions, long after the ship departs.
Hon. Akandoh highlighted the crucial contribution of the HOPE Centre in supporting patients through pre- and post-operative phases while enabling local medics to work alongside international experts. He further extended appreciation to the various ministries, state agencies, security forces and health institutions that facilitated the vessel’s arrival.
Mercy Ships Chief Executive Officer Dr Michelle White reflected on the deep historical significance of returning to Tema, where the charity’s inaugural hospital ship, the Anastasis, first docked more than 30 years ago.
According to her, Mercy Ships has trained close to 3,000 Ghanaian healthcare professionals and delivered over 2,500 surgical procedures in the country since 1991, including support last year for the Ghana Surgical Dialogue, which convened national and international leaders on surgical, obstetric and anaesthesia care.
Dr White reaffirmed that the charity will work hand-in-hand with the Ministry of Health, local universities, the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, and the Ghana College of Nursing and Midwifery to align clinical training and offer postgraduate placements on board.
Welcoming the vessel on behalf of his sector, Minister for Transport Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe described Ghana’s sea ports as vital gateways serving the broader West African sub-region, including landlocked nations such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. He pledged the full cooperation of port authorities to ensure seamless operations throughout the ten-month mission while wishing the international crew a safe and impactful stay.
Since 1990, Mercy Ships has undertaken 47 field services across 14 African nations, carrying out over 128,800 surgeries globally. The organization’s focus has progressively shifted from short-term humanitarian relief toward enduring health system strengthening through partnership, clinical education and locally led capacity building—an approach fully aligned with Ghana’s long-term health objectives.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana