Chinese Navy Hospital Ship arrives in Ghana for Free Medical Services

Tema, Oct. 23, GNA – The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy hospital ship, 868 Auspicious Ark, has arrived in Ghana for a free medical outreach programme.

The ship arrived at 0950 hours on Friday, October 23, and was received by Mr Tong Defa, the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, accompanied by Major General Evelyn Abraham Kwabiah, Deputy Chief of Staff (Medical) of the Ghana Armed Forces, Commodore Raymond Kyaano, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command, and other dignitaries.

Docked at the Tema Port, the Auspicious Ark is expected to provide free medical services, including surgical procedures, to Ghanaians during its week-long visit.

The mission is expected to improve access to specialised healthcare, particularly for communities with limited access to such services, while strengthening medical and military cooperation between Ghana and China.

In a welcome address delivered on his behalf by Commodore Kyaano, Lieutenant General William Agyapong, Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) of the Ghana Armed Forces, said the visit marked a significant milestone in the longstanding relations between the two countries.

He said Ghana’s inclusion among the hospital ship’s first international destinations demonstrated the enduring friendship between the two nations and their shared commitment to humanitarian service, international cooperation and the preservation of human life.

“The arrival of the Auspicious Ark represents far more than a naval port visit. It brings a message of hope, compassion and healing to our people,” he said.

He said the medical mission would provide an important opportunity for Ghanaians to access healthcare services that might otherwise be difficult to obtain, bringing relief to patients and their families.

Beyond healthcare delivery, he said, the visit would create opportunities for professional engagement between Ghanaian and Chinese military medical personnel to exchange experiences, share knowledge and strengthen their capacity to respond to medical emergencies.

He said the engagement also highlighted the expanding role of naval forces in humanitarian assistance, medical diplomacy and national development, beyond their traditional maritime security responsibilities.

The CDS said the Ghana Armed Forces remained committed to humanitarian assistance, disaster response and the protection of human security, adding that partnerships such as the visit would help advance those objectives.

He expressed appreciation to the institutions and personnel whose cooperation had facilitated the hospital ship’s visit and called for stronger defence relations between Ghana and China.

In his remarks, Senior Captain Zhou Hanwen, Captain of the Auspicious Ark, said the visit marked another positive step in China-Ghana friendship in the areas of military cooperation, healthcare and humanitarian assistance.

He expressed appreciation for the warm reception accorded the ship’s commanders, officers and crew and thanked the dignitaries for attending the welcome ceremony.

“We look forward to this visit bringing our two peoples closer together, promoting medical exchanges and contributing to the health and well-being of the Ghanaian people,” he said.

The Auspicious ArkThe PLA Navy hospital ship, 868 Auspicious Ark (Peace Ark II), is undertaking its maiden international voyage, with Ghana among its first destinations. The vessel, which made a stop in Côte d’Ivoire before arriving in Ghanaian waters, is expected to combine healthcare delivery with engagements aimed at promoting bilateral military cooperation during its week-long stay.

It is expected to depart for Togo after completing its mission in Ghana as it continues its international voyage.

The Auspicious Ark(Hull 868) is China’s second purpose-built ocean-going hospital ship, officially commissioned as Silk Road Ark and sister ship to the earlier Peace Ark (Hull 866) which visited Ghana in 2017 under the “Mission Harmony” humanitarian missions.

The 14,300-tonne Type 920 hospital ship is equipped with over 100 beds, 8 operating theatres, intensive care units, and can accommodate more than 30 major surgeries per day. It is designed for offshore medical support, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and international medical cooperation.

The ship’s current West Africa tour forms part of China’s military diplomacy and Belt and Road Initiative health outreach. Its itinerary includes Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Togo.

Ghana and China have enjoyed diplomatic relations since 1960. In recent years, cooperation has expanded beyond trade and infrastructure to include defence and health. The Ghana Armed Forces has benefited from Chinese military training programmes, logistics support and medical exchanges.

The Ghana Armed Forces Medical Services, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, regularly partners with foreign medical missions to provide specialist care in areas including general surgery, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, gynaecology and internal medicine for underserved populations.

Members of the public seeking free treatment are advised to report to designated screening centres at the Eastern Naval Command in Tema, where referrals will be made to the ship’s medical team.

GNANii Martey M. Botchway[email protected]Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong