The government has renewed its partnership with the international charity, Mercy Ships, which will see the hospital ship, the Global Mercy, dock in Ghana in 2026.

The vessel is scheduled to arrive at the Port of Tema in August 2026, to provide free, specialised surgical care to hundreds of Ghanaians and offer intensive training for local healthcare professionals.

The partnership was reaffirmed following a high-level meeting between President John Dramani Mahama and a delegation from the Mercy Ships Board of Directors at the Jubilee House in Accra on Thursday [Sept 11, 2025].

This will be the fifth time the organisation has brought its medical mission to Ghana, building on a legacy of collaboration which dates back to 1991. 

Previous visits resulted in over 2,600 life-changing surgeries, 16,700 dental procedures, and the training of 139 Ghanaian medical professionals.

During its stay, the floating hospital will offer a wide range of specialised procedures at no cost to patients. 

These include tumour removal, cleft lip and palate repair, paediatric orthopaedic surgery, cataract surgery, reconstructive plastic surgery, and obstetric fistula repair. 

Healthcare access

Speaking at the meeting, President Mahama emphasised the critical importance of healthcare accessibility. 

“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 stated.

A nationwide patient registration process will be announced in due course to identify and schedule eligible individuals.

Honour

The Board Chairperson and Interim Chief Executive Officer of Mercy Ships, Gary Brown, expressed honour at the return 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 the direct surgical services, the partnership is deeply focused on long-term health system strengthening. 
Mercy Ships has been a key supporter in the development and implementation of Ghana’s National Surgical, Obstetric, and Anaesthesia Plan (NSOAP). 

The presence of Global Mercy will further the collaboration, providing a platform for advanced training, mentoring, and skills transfer for Ghanaian doctors, nurses and biomedical engineers.

The initiative is expected to leave a lasting impact on the country's surgical capacity, ensuring that the benefits of the partnership extend far beyond the ship's departure.

About Mercy Ships

Mercy Ships operates the world's largest non-governmental hospital ships, delivering free healthcare services to nations in need. 

Staffed by over 2,500 volunteers from around the world, the organisation has worked exclusively in Africa for the past three decades, providing surgeries and training to build a lasting healthcare legacy.