TEMA, Ghana, 1st October: President John Dramani Mahama has described the impact of free surgeries being provided by Mercy Ships as deeply moving, particularly for children who have lived with conditions that affected their confidence and ability to participate fully in everyday activities.
President Mahama made the remarks after touring the Global Mercy, the world’s largest purpose-built civilian hospital ship currently providing free specialised medical care to patients in Ghana.
He said he had witnessed children who had undergone life-changing surgeries and were already showing visible signs of happiness.
“I have seen children and I mean just a smile on their faces after the life-changing surgeries they have had. I mean it is enough to melt the most wicked heart,” President Mahama said.
He also spoke about the gratitude expressed by mothers whose children had received treatment aboard the vessel.
According to the President, the experience became particularly striking when he visited the orthopaedic section and saw photographs showing some of the children before undergoing surgery.
He said some of the children had lived with conditions such as curved legs and clubfoot, which could expose them to ridicule and limit their participation in activities with their peers.
“You can imagine that child going back,” he said.
“He has been the butt of jokes of his friends because he has got curved legs or clubfoot or something like that and when he leaves this ship and goes back, he is going to be on that football field with his friends playing like any ordinary child.”
President Mahama said the transformation could extend beyond the physical benefits of surgery, helping children regain confidence and recognise their potential.
“Just imagine the confidence that it gives him back to learn, study, play and recognize his full potential,” he said.
The Global Mercy is providing free surgeries for a range of conditions, including cataracts, cleft lips and palates, tumours, childhood orthopaedic conditions and reconstructive needs.
The President said patients who require surgery should not be forced to abandon treatment simply because specialist care is unavailable nearby or because the cost is beyond their families’ means.
“A patient who needs surgery should not have to give up because the treatment is too far away or beyond their family’s means,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to Mercy Ships for providing the specialised care and urged stakeholders to ensure that the benefits of the mission extend beyond the surgeries performed during the ship’s stay.
“To the patients and families here today, you are the reason for this partnership. I wish each of you safe treatment and a good recovery,” President Mahama said.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️) Presidential Affairs Correspondent | Ghana 🇬🇭
