President John Dramani Mahama has announced the renewal of a strategic partnership between the Government of Ghana and the international charity Mercy Ships, with the Global Mercy Ship hospital vessel set to return to Ghana in August 2026. The vessel will provide free specialized surgeries and intensive training for local healthcare professionals.
The renewed agreement was confirmed following a high-level meeting at the Presidency on September 11, 2025, between President Mahama and members of the Mercy Ships Board, led by Dame Ann Gloag.
President Mahama emphasized the crucial role of the partnership in bolstering Ghana’s surgical care infrastructure, stating that “health is not a luxury, it is the foundation of freedom and the currency of our dignity”. He expressed delight in welcoming Mercy Ships back to Ghana, highlighting the partnership’s potential to significantly complement the government’s efforts to strengthen surgical care delivery across the country. During its planned field service, the Mercy Ship will dock at the Port of Tema, providing a floating surgical hospital that delivers a wide range of life-changing operations free of charge to those in need.
The mission will also focus on advancing Ghana’s national goals for safe surgical care through comprehensive training and mentorship programs for Ghanaian surgeons, anaesthesiologists, nurses, and other medical personnel. This visit will mark Mercy Ship’s fifth deployment to Ghana since 1991, building on a legacy of impactful collaboration that has facilitated over 2,600 life-altering surgeries, 16,700 dental procedures, and the professional development of 139 Ghanaian healthcare professionals.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
