GHS strengthens specialised Healthcare Partnership as global Mercy begins 10-month mission in Ghana
Written by; Regina Bless
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding access to quality surgical and specialised healthcare as the hospital ship Global Mercy begins a 10-month field service in Ghana.
The commitment was highlighted at a Partners’ Welcome Aboard ceremony held on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Berth 6 of the Port of Tema. The event brought together health sector leaders, development partners and other stakeholders to welcome the vessel and strengthen collaboration towards improving access to specialised healthcare.
Representing the Ghana Health Service, its Director-General, Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, said the mission comes at a critical time as Ghana intensifies efforts to bring healthcare services closer to communities through the Free Primary Health Care initiative.
He explained that the initiative goes beyond healthcare delivery at facilities, with greater emphasis on health promotion, disease prevention and home-based healthcare.
Under the approach, health workers are expected to visit households, assess living conditions, provide guidance on healthy lifestyles and preventive practices, and conduct basic health checks such as blood pressure screening.
The initiative also incorporates a One Health approach, recognising the connection between human, animal and environmental health. This, Dr. Akoriyea said, would help improve the early detection of health conditions among people who may not be aware of their illnesses or may not have sought medical attention.
According to him, the increased outreach is expected to significantly raise the number of people referred to health facilities, with patient attendance projected to increase by about 35 percent.
He noted that increased screening and early detection would inevitably identify more people requiring treatment for chronic conditions and other health challenges that need specialised care.
It is against this background that the Global Mercy’s presence in Ghana is considered timely, providing an opportunity for the Ghana Health Service and Mercy Ships to coordinate their activities and ensure that the specialised services offered by the mission complement the growing demand generated by national healthcare initiatives.
The Global Mercy is expected to perform between 1,950 and 2,600 surgeries and provide between 1,610 and 2,145 dental treatments free of charge during its 10-month stay in Ghana.
The mission will also focus on strengthening Ghana’s healthcare workforce. Between 100 and 250 Ghanaian healthcare professionals are expected to benefit from training, mentorship and clinical placement opportunities, allowing them to work alongside international medical specialists.
Dr. Akoriyea called for the Ghana Health Service and Mercy Ships to return to the drawing board to determine how the two institutions can best align their activities.
He said strategic coordination would ensure that the specialised services, expertise and resources available through the Global Mercy are directed towards Ghana’s priority healthcare needs.
The partnership also supports the objectives of Ghana’s National Surgical, Obstetric and Anaesthesia Plan (NSOAP), which seeks to improve access to safe, affordable and quality surgical services across the country.
Knowledge transfer and capacity building remain key components of the collaboration. Through partnerships involving Mercy Ships, the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service, universities and professional institutions, Ghanaian healthcare workers will have opportunities to improve their skills and gain practical experience in specialised areas of healthcare.
Stakeholders believe the benefits of the mission will therefore extend beyond the immediate surgeries and dental procedures, contributing to the long-term development of Ghana’s health workforce and healthcare institutions.
The current mission builds on more than three decades of collaboration between Ghana and Mercy Ships. Since the organisation’s first field service in Ghana in 1991, it has contributed to the delivery of specialised surgical care as well as the training and professional development of healthcare workers.
The Partners’ Welcome Aboard ceremony consequently served not only as an official welcome to the Global Mercy but also as an opportunity for stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to partnerships that address Ghana’s changing healthcare needs.
As the Free Primary Health Care initiative brings healthcare closer to households and strengthens the identification and referral of patients requiring further treatment, the Global Mercy mission is expected to complement efforts at the specialised end of Ghana’s healthcare system.
The Ghana Health Service says it will continue working with the Ministry of Health, development partners, civil society organisations, academic institutions and other stakeholders to build a resilient, responsive and people-centred health system.
The 10-month Global Mercy mission is therefore expected to provide life-changing surgical and dental interventions while also strengthening partnerships, improving healthcare workers’ skills, facilitating knowledge transfer and supporting Ghana’s broader goal of achieving universal access to quality healthcare.