The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy hospital ship, AUSPICIOUS ARK (Hull 868) has arrived at Tema Port on Friday 23 October 2026, to commence a seven-day friendly visit and humanitarian medical mission in Ghana under Mission Harmony 2026. The visit marks the first reported arrival of a Chinese naval hospital ship in the country and is expected to deliver medical services to the public while, providing opportunities for professional exchanges between Ghanaian and Chinese military medical personnel.
The Guest of Honour, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Commodore Raymond Kyaano, welcomed the ship and its crew on behalf of the Chief of the Defence Staff, Lieutenant General William Agyapong, and the Ghana Armed Forces. He described the visit as an important opportunity to advance humanitarian assistance, strengthen medical cooperation and promote the health and well-being of the Ghanaian people. Commodore Kyaano commended the visiting crew for their commitment to humanitarian service, noting that the provision of specialised medical care reflected the values of compassion, service and international solidarity.
The Mission Commander and Commanding Officer of AUSPICIOUS ARK, Rear Admiral Guan Bailin, expressed confidence that the visit would expand medical exchanges and strengthen professional relationships between Ghanaian and Chinese military medical teams. He said the engagements would promote the sharing of clinical knowledge and experience, particularly in naval medicine, specialised healthcare delivery and emergency medical response. The mission is also expected to provide an opportunity for personnel from both countries to learn from each other’s practices in healthcare delivery and humanitarian assistance.
As part of the mission, AUSPICIOUS ARK is scheduled to provide medical consultations and healthcare services to members of the public from its on board medical facilities. The ship is equipped with a range of specialised departments, including laboratory services, a dental clinic, gynaecology, ophthalmology, stomatology, surgical theatres and inpatient wards. In addition to services delivered aboard the vessel, medical outreach teams are expected to visit the China-Ghana Friendship Hospital and a military camp to conduct consultations, academic exchanges and professional engagements with Ghanaian healthcare personnel.
The opening ceremony brought together representatives of the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority and other institutions, alongside the visiting Chinese naval delegation. The seven-day programme is scheduled to run until Friday 30 October 2026.
Story by: Sarah Ofori Dei Appiah
Pictures by: AB1 Nkansah Gabriel
