Omanghana
President John Dramani Mahama has directed government ministries and agencies to coordinate their support for Mercy Ships as the organization provides free specialist treatment to Ghanaians during a 10-month mission at Tema Port.
The President issued the directive on Thursday, October 1, 2026, while touring the Global Mercy, where he met patients, medical personnel and volunteers. He urged state institutions to handle patient movement, medical supplies and operational requirements promptly and in accordance with Ghanaian law.
Mahama placed particular emphasis on care after surgery, directing the Ministry of Health to work with Mercy Ships and local health institutions to establish effective referral and follow-up arrangements.
“A patient’s care must continue safely even after Global Mercy has left port,” he said.
He stressed that the partnership’s success should extend beyond the procedures performed aboard the vessel, with patients receiving the support needed to recover safely after returning to their communities.
The mission is expected to provide thousands of free surgical and dental procedures. Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh said at least 2,400 surgeries and dental treatments were anticipated, while Mercy Ships trustee Dame Ann Gloag separately outlined targets of more than 2,000 surgeries and about 3,500 dental treatments.
Services include cataract operations, cleft lip and palate repairs, tumors removals, childhood orthopaedical procedures and other general and reconstructive surgeries.
Beyond direct treatment, Mahama called for Ghanaian surgeons, anesthesia professionals, nurses and other health workers to benefit from working alongside the international team. He said the skills acquired should strengthen services in Ghanaian hospitals long after the mission ends.
The deployment marks Mercy Ships’ fifth visit to Ghana since 1991. Previous missions delivered more than 2,600 surgeries and 16,700 dental procedures and supported the professional development of 139 Ghanaian healthcare workers.
Mahama thanked the organization’s donors, crew, volunteers and local partners, saying patients should not be denied hope because specialist treatment was unaffordable or too far from home.
He described the mission as a contribution to wider government efforts to expand Free Primary Healthcare, strengthen the National Health Insurance Scheme and reduce the burden of serious illnesses through the Ghana Medical Trust Fund.
Source: Omanghana
