Government of Ghana to Welcome the Global Mercy Ship

As part of efforts to strengthen cooperation with humanitarian partners, H.E. Kulsoume Sinare Baffoe, Ambassador of the Republic of Ghana to the Kingdom of Spain, on 23rd July 2026, visited the Global Mercy at the Port of Las Palmas, Spain.

The visit formed part of the Embassy’s engagement with officials of Mercy Ships to assess preparations for the organisation’s upcoming field service in Ghana, scheduled to commence in August 2026.

The visit follows the reaffirmation of the longstanding partnership between the Government of Ghana and Mercy Ships during a recent meeting between H.E. President John Dramani Mahama and members of the Mercy Ships Board. As part of this renewed collaboration, the Global Mercy, the world’s largest purpose-built civilian hospital ship, is expected to sail to the Port of Tema in August 2026 with hundreds of international volunteers, medical professionals and state-of-the-art medical equipment to provide life- changing healthcare services to Ghanaians.

The Global Mercy is home to a diverse international crew comprising volunteers from more than 50 nationalities, who dedicate their time and expertise for periods ranging from a few weeks to several months and, in some cases, several years. Among them are approximately twenty Ghanaian volunteers serving in various professional and support roles. Their commitment reflects Ghana’s contribution to Mercy Ships’ global humanitarian mission and demonstrates the spirit of service and compassion that underpins the organisation’s work.

During its field service in Ghana, patients from across the country will have access to a wide range of specialised surgical procedures, including:

• Tumour removal;
• Cleft lip and palate repair;
• Paediatric orthopaedic surgery;
• Reconstructive plastic surgery;
• Obstetric fistula repair;
• Cataract surgery; and
• General and paediatric surgical procedures.

In addition to providing direct medical care, the mission will support capacity building within Ghana’s health sector. Mercy Ships projects that the 2026–2027 field service will deliver between 1,950 and 2,600 surgeries, 1,610 and 2,145 dental procedure