By: Mavis Offei Acheampong
The First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, has commended Merck Foundation for its impactful campaign on breaking the Stigma surrounding infertility in Africa and Asia. Citing Merck Foundation’s “More than a Mother” initiative which seeks to empower people to openly discuss infertility, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo called for an end to the stigmatization of individuals affected by infertility.
Speaking at the 11th Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, she noted that the “More than A Mother “campaign has helped many families find happiness by addressing a previously sensitive subject of infertility in homes.
As Ghana’s Ambassador for Merck’s “More than a Mother” campaign, Mrs. Akufo-Addo applauded the campaign’s success in Ghana. She said this has foster more openness, reduced stigma and encouraged many to seek help and find solutions to the infertility challenge.
This year’s Africa Asia Luminary brought together First Ladies from Africa and Asia, including Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Monica Chakwera of Malawi, Kartumu Yarta Boakai of Liberia, Rachel Rutu of Kenya, and Fatoumata Bah-Barrow of The Gambia. They joined other representatives from 70 countries, including 400 delegates which included health professionals, media, and government officials.
Mrs. Akufo-Addo applauded Merck Foundation’s various programme that address gender-based violence, promote health, and support girls’ education especially the “Educating Linda” project, which is dedicated to advancing girls’ education in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, which advocates for inclusive, quality education.
She noted that, “Investing in girls’ education transforms communities, countries, and the world while empowering girls to contribute meaningfully to society”.
Highlighting Merck Foundation’s medical scholarships, Mrs. Akufo-Addo said since 2018, 189 Ghanaian doctors have received training in critical areas, advancing healthcare access and quality in Ghana. The scholarships, she explained, have strengthened occupational care and promoted equitable health services nationwide.
The CEO of Merck Foundation Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej on her part underscored the organisation’s achievements in tackling infertility, combating cancer, and supporting girls’ education. She hinted that doctors from 52 countries across Africa and Asia have received specialized training in oncology, fertility, cardiology, and urology, thanks to the Foundation’s partnerships with First Ladies.
The Chairman of the Merck Foundation, Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, pledged the Foundation’s commitment to transforming healthcare and improving lives across Africa and Asia.
He has therefore encouraged participants to apply their training to build robust healthcare systems and emphasized the crucial role of girls’ education in economic development.
The 11th Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary Conference is being held in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, from October 29-30, 2024, under the theme, “Together We Make a Difference.”
This annual event provides a platform for African and Asian First Ladies, ambassadors of the ‘Merck More Than A Mother’ campaign, to collaborate, share insights, and showcase achievements in healthcare, girls’ education, and women’s empowerment in their respective countries.
Attending the conference was Tanzania’s President, H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, along with 15 First Ladies from Africa and Asia, including Rebecca Akufo-Addo, First Lady of Ghana; Monica Chakwera of Malawi; Kartumu Yarta Boakai of Liberia; Rachel Rutu of Kenya; and Fatoumata Bah-Barrow of The Gambia, as well as First Ladies from Maldives, Mozambique, Zanzibar, Zimbabwe, Burundi, the Central African Republic, Gabon, Cape Verde, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and São Tomé and Principe.
Over 400 delegates, comprising health professionals, media, and government officials from 70 countries, were also present.
In her welcome address, Merck Foundation CEO Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej highlighted the Foundation’s achievements in tackling infertility, combating cancer, supporting girls’ education, and more.
She noted that doctors from 52 countries across Africa and Asia have been trained in specialties such as oncology, fertility, urology, cardiology, and other disciplines, all made possible through Merck Foundation’s partnerships with the First Ladies.
Dr. Kelej also expressed her gratitude to the First Ladies, urging them to continue initiatives supporting girls’ education, fighting gender-based violence, and combating infertility stigma.
Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation, reiterated the Foundation’s commitment to transforming healthcare and enhancing lives.
This commitment drives the Foundation’s scholarship programs, aimed at equipping healthcare practitioners with the skills to address health issues in their home countries.
He encouraged the attendees to leverage their training, noting that they are foundational to their countries’ healthcare systems.
Prof. Stangenberg-Haverkamp emphasized that educating girls is essential to a country’s economic development and urged the First Ladies to continue championing this cause.
Ghana’s First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, shared some of her achievements through her partnership with Merck Foundation.
These include building healthcare capacity among doctors and journalists, addressing infertility stigma, and promoting knowledge-sharing.
Through this partnership, 189 scholarships have been awarded to Ghanaian doctors in various disciplines, enhancing healthcare access in underserved communities.
Mrs. Akufo-Addo highlighted the progress in breaking infertility stigma in Ghana and promoting openness in seeking help.
She also mentioned that storybooks distributed to schoolchildren are helping them develop critical thinking skills and become responsible citizens.
First Lady Akufo-Addo reaffirmed her commitment to advocating for girls’ education, emphasising, “Investing in girls’ education transforms communities, countries, and the world at large.”
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