Merck Foundation holds Ghana Alumni summit, awards 2022/23 winners

Merck Foundation, a philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA, Germany has held its 2024 Ghana alumni summit in Accra, with emphasis on the substantial contribution Merck has made towards healthcare, education and the media landscape in Ghana.

The summit was held concurrently with the 2022 and 2023 award ceremony for Ghanaian Journalists who participated in various award schemes by Merck.

In an address, the First Lady of the Republic of Ghana, Her Excellency Mrs Rebecca Akufo Addo, disclosed that “in  the short period of nearly six years, Merck Foundation has provided 143 scholarships for local Ghanaian doctors in about 40 diverse disciplines”.

“Ghana can now boast of more specialists in critical areas of medicine because of Merck Foundation”, she stressed.

According to her, infertility had always been a taboo topic in the African context but with Merck Foundation’ “More Than a Mother” Ambassador programme, Ghanaians were being more open with infertility issues and thus seeking help and reducing the stigma.

“Today, we celebrate an important milestone. A culmination of a great partnership between my office and the Merck Foundation, since 2018. This partnership has enabled Ghana to build healthcare capacity, transform patients care, break infertility stigma and support girls education”, the First lady indicated.

“Education for girls is the singular drive for empowering our girls. It is my passion to see girls stay in school or acquire skills for life. I acknowledge and thank Merck Foundation on our partnership for girls’ education, ‘Educating Linda’ and Because I want to be, Television mentoring programme. Together, we are ensuring girls are heard, seen and empowered for a great future”, Mrs Rebecca Akufo Addo acknowledged.

The Chief Executive Officer of Merck Foundation, Senator Dr Rasha Kelej, pledged her continuous support towards the Health sector, Education and the media among other disciplines.

She hoped many Ghanaians would express interest and apply for the many scholarship programmes by the Merck Foundation to enhance their professions.

Over twenty Journalists across the country received awards for Online, Television and Radio categories of the award schemes, which were the “More Than a Mother” project, Diabetes and Hypertension.

Others also received awards on fashion , film and best songs.

Georgina Appiah of Gnewsprime.com emerged first in West Africa for the 2022 Online category of the award scheme.

Her report covered Gender Based Violence and Teenage Pregnancy issues in the Central Region of Ghana, which were published on citinewsroom.com in 2022.

Earlier, Merck Foundation organized a Health Media training to educate participants on diverse health issues and equip them with the necessary reporting skills on the sector.

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