The Minister for Transport, Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has welcomed the Global Mercy, the world’s largest civilian hospital ship, to the Port of Tema as it begins its fifth field service in Ghana.

The arrival of the Global Mercy marks another important chapter in Ghana’s longstanding partnership with Mercy Ships and underscores the strategic role of the country’s maritime infrastructure in supporting not only trade and commerce but also humanitarian services and regional development.

The hospital ship was officially welcomed at a ceremony attended by government officials, diplomats, healthcare leaders, representatives of Mercy Ships, volunteers and other stakeholders.

Over the next ten months, the volunteer medical teams aboard the Global Mercy are expected to provide thousands of free medical services to Ghanaians, including between 1,950 and 2,600 surgical procedures and between 1,610 and 2,145 dental treatments.

The field service will also focus on strengthening Ghana’s healthcare capacity through the training, mentoring and education of an estimated 100 to 250 Ghanaian healthcare professionals through clinical placements and other learning opportunities aboard the vessel.

Speaking at the welcome ceremony, Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe expressed the Ministry of Transport’s appreciation to Mercy Ships, its medical teams and volunteers for choosing Ghana once again as a destination for the delivery of humanitarian healthcare services.

He said as the sector Ministry responsible for Ghana’s ports, together with its agencies, was delighted to host the Global Mercy at the Port of Tema and support the delivery of critical healthcare services to the people of Ghana.

The Minister commended the crew, medical personnel and volunteers for their commitment to travelling across the world to provide healthcare services free of charge to people in need.

He noted that their dedication and willingness to make their expertise and services available to vulnerable populations demonstrated a strong commitment to humanity and improving lives.

Hon. Nikpe also acknowledged the significant resources required to provide specialised medical services for such operations and expressed Ghana’s appreciation to Mercy Ships and its partners for bringing these services to the country.

Highlighting the strategic importance of the Port of Tema, the Minister said Ghana’s ports were not only gateways for maritime trade, cargo and commerce but also important platforms capable of supporting initiatives that serve the broader needs of the West African sub-region.

He noted that Ghana’s geographical location places the country at the centre of the West African sub-region and provides an opportunity for its ports to serve neighbouring countries, particularly landlocked countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

According to him, the hosting of the Global Mercy at the Port of Tema would therefore provide an opportunity for beneficiaries from Ghana and other countries within the sub-region to access the humanitarian medical services being offered during the ship’s stay.

The Minister stressed that Ghana’s position as a coastal country and a regional gateway comes with a responsibility to facilitate access to essential services and support neighbouring countries that depend on its transport and maritime infrastructure.

He assured Mercy Ships of the Ministry of Transport’s full support and indicated that Ghana’s ports would continue to provide the necessary assistance to facilitate the smooth operation of the ship and the delivery of medical services to beneficiaries.

“Any time you call on our ports, whether the Port of Tema or the Port of Takoradi, we will be prepared to receive you and give you the necessary assistance and support,” the Minister stated.

On his part, the Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, described the arrival of the vessel as part of a partnership between Ghana and Mercy Ships that has spanned more than three decades and was reaffirmed in 2025.

He noted that the current field service complements Ghana’s National Surgical, Obstetric and Anaesthesia Plan, which was launched in 2024 to expand access to safe, timely and equitable surgical care across the country.

According to him, the arrival of the Global Mercy should not be viewed as a stand-alone humanitarian intervention but as a collaborative effort that supports and accelerates Ghana’s national healthcare priorities.

The field service is also expected to contribute to the development of Ghana’s healthcare workforce through mentoring, education and practical clinical experience for local healthcare professionals.

Chief Executive Officer of Mercy Ships, Dr. Michelle White, noted that the organisation’s return to Tema carried significant historical importance, as the organisation’s first hospital ship, the Anastasis, docked at the Port of Tema more than 30 years ago.

Since 1991, Mercy Ships has provided more than 2,500 surgical procedures in Ghana and trained close to 3,000 Ghanaian healthcare professionals.

Dr. White indicated that Mercy Ships would continue to work closely with the Ministry of Health, universities and healthcare institutions, including the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Ghana College of Nursing and Midwifery, to ensure that the current field service aligns with Ghana’s national health priorities.

The organisation will also provide postgraduate training opportunities and clinical placements aboard the Global Mercy as part of its commitment to long-term health system strengthening and locally led capacity development.

The arrival of the Global Mercy (Mercy Ships) at the Port of Tema once again demonstrates the broader role of Ghana’s transport and maritime infrastructure in facilitating national development, regional integration and international cooperation.

Beyond its traditional role as a gateway for trade and commerce, the Port of Tema has, through the arrival of the Global Mercy, become a gateway for hope, healing and humanitarian service for thousands of people in Ghana and potentially across the West African sub-region.

As the Global Mercy begins its ten-month field service, the Ministry of Transport remains committed to working with relevant institutions and partners to ensure the smooth operation of the vessel and support the successful delivery of its humanitarian mission.

The Ministry also reaffirms its commitment to strengthening Ghana’s ports and maritime infrastructure to support trade, tourism, regional integration and other strategic national and international initiatives that contribute to the wellbeing and development of the people of Ghana and the wider West African sub-region.