Representatives of the Chinese community and Chinese enterprises in Ghana welcome the arrival of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy hospital ship Auspicious Ark in Tema, Ghana, Oct. 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Gao Jianfei)
ACCRA, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy hospital ship Auspicious Ark arrived in Ghana's eastern port of Tema on Friday for a friendly visit and medical mission, marking the first visit by a Chinese naval hospital ship to the West African country.
The hospital ship, which is carrying out Mission Harmony-2026, docked at the port at around 10:00 a.m. local time (1000 GMT).
On board, Chinese naval personnel and civilian staff stood in formation and waved to the welcoming crowd as the vessel arrived.
Ghanaian military and government officials, China's ambassador to Ghana, the defense attache and embassy staff, as well as representatives of the Chinese community and Chinese enterprises in Ghana, attended the welcoming ceremony.
Participants held banners and waved the national flags of China and Ghana to welcome the Chinese naval hospital ship.
Following the ceremony, Ghanaian government and military officials, together with China's ambassador to Ghana, the defense attache and embassy staff, toured the ship and held discussions with members of the mission.
During the seven-day visit, the hospital ship will provide medical services to local patients on board, while its medical personnel will also deliver medical services at local facilities and engage in medical exchanges.
The mission will also host a reception on the ship's deck, conduct health education activities at the Tema Naval Base School and organize a friendly football match with Ghanaian officers and soldiers.
A Ghanaian military band performs to welcome the arrival of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy hospital ship Auspicious Ark in Tema, Ghana, Oct. 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Gao Jianfei)
The Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy hospital ship Auspicious Ark arrives in Tema, Ghana, Oct. 23, 2026.(Xinhua/Gao Jianfei)
