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Merck Foundation holds 13th Africa Asia Luminary with 12 First Ladies to advance healthcare capacity across Africa and Asia
Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, held the 13th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2026 on June 18 and 19 through an online videoconference.
The annual conference was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, and Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and Chairperson of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary, along with the First Ladies of 12 African and Asian countries, who joined as Guests of Honour and Keynote Speakers.
First Ladies in attendance were Dr. Ana Dias Lourenço of Angola, Kaone Boko of Botswana, Dr. Débora Katisa Carvalho of Cabo Verde, Brigitte Touadera of the Central African Republic, Zita Oligui Nguema of the Gabonese Republic, Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow of the Republic of The Gambia, Rachel Ruto of the Republic of Kenya, Kartumu Yarta Boakai of the Republic of Liberia, Sajidha Mohamed of the Republic of Maldives, Dr. Gueta Selemane Chapo of the Republic of Mozambique, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Maria de Fatima Vila Nova of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe.
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, President of “More Than a Mother” and Chairperson of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary, said: “It is a great privilege to welcome our distinguished Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers, the First Ladies of Africa and Asia, who are the Ambassadors of our ‘More Than a Mother’ campaign to the 13th Edition of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary.
“Together, we exchanged valuable experiences and engaged in meaningful discussions on the impact of our programs, which are aimed at transforming patient care and raising awareness of a wide range of critical social and health issues,” Dr. Kelej said.
Dr. Rasha Kelej noted that “I am proud to share that Merck Foundation has provided more than 2,600 scholarships for healthcare providers from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved specialties.”
“Many of our Merck Foundation alumni have become the first specialists in their countries. Together with our Ambassadors and partners, we are making history and transforming the patient care landscape across Africa, Asia, and beyond, ” Dr.Kelej noted
According to her, “During our Conference, we also marked World Infertility Awareness Month, observed annually in June, through our historic ‘Merck Foundation More Than a Mother’ campaign, dedicated to empowering infertile and childless women by providing access to information, health, education, and change of mindset.”
Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, added, “I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the First Ladies of Africa and Asia who joined us as Guests of Honor, as well as to the Ministers, healthcare experts, policymakers, government officials, academia, media representatives, and all our partners for their unwavering support and collaboration.”
“At Merck Foundation, we remain committed to improving health and well-being by building healthcare capacity and providing access to quality and equitable healthcare across Africa, Asia, and beyond. Together, we will continue advancing our vision of a world where everyone can lead a healthy and happy life,” he said.
He further highlighted that “I am pleased to share that, of the over 2,600 scholarships provided by Merck Foundation, more than 800 scholarships have been for healthcare providers in the fields of Fertility, Embryology, Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Clinical Psychiatry, Women’s Health, Urology, Laparoscopic Surgical Skills, and Family Medicine.”
“These scholarships are helping strengthen fertility care services and improving access to women’s health across 42 countries,” he revealed
During the 13th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary, two important occasions were marked;the 9th Anniversary of Merck Foundation and 14 years of Merck Foundation’s development programmes that were started in 2012.
On the first day, the Inaugural Session of the 13th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary took place, featuring a high-level panel of the participating First Ladies of Africa and Asia.
Day one was attended by over 800 participants including healthcare providers, policymakers, and media from 57 English, French, and Portuguese-speaking countries.
Additionally, the conference was live streamed on social media, with over 220,000 social media viewers, further amplifying the impact and extending access to knowledge and dialogue across continents.
Day two of the conference had two parallel scientific sessions covering Oncology and Fertility Topics.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer aspirant, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has vowed to challenge elements within the party in 2027, accusing some members of disrespecting him and spreading false information about his health.
Speaking in an interview on Net 2 TV yesterday, Mr. Agyapong said he continues to enjoy respect from many people both in Ghana and abroad despite what he described as efforts by some individuals within the NPP to damage his reputation.
He alleged that false claims had been made about him, including reports that he had undergone a head operation.
According to him, such comments were part of attempts to undermine him.
Mr. Agyapong warned members of the NPP to brace themselves for what he described as “action” in June or July 2027.
He said he would not be intimidated by those he believes have treated him unfairly within the party.
According to him, some people think he would return to support them despite the alleged attacks against him.
However, he maintained that he would not remain silent and would respond at the appropriate time.
“They should wait and see. I’m giving them the time that June 2027, they will see action in this country,” he said.
The former Assin Central Member of Parliament did not explain what specific action he intends to take but insisted that he is not afraid of those he believes are working against him.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer aspirant and Member of Parliament for Abetifi, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, has called on party members to put aside their differences and unite behind the NPP’s 2028 presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
In a statement issued on June 19, 2026, Dr. Acheampong said the party’s main focus should be rebuilding and returning to power after its defeat in the 2024 general election.
He noted that he understands the disappointment that follows a closely contested primary, having also contested in the NPP’s January 2026 flagbearer race and lost.
“I speak to you today not as a bystander to our recent contest, but as one who stood in it,” he stated.
Dr. Acheampong expressed concern over recent comments made by former Assin Central MP and former NPP flagbearer aspirant, Kennedy Agyapong, including his threat to take action against the party and some individuals.
According to him, Mr. Agyapong remains an important figure within the NPP whose contributions, loyalty and influence cannot be questioned.
However, he appealed to him to help promote unity rather than deepen divisions within the party.
“It is for that very reason that I urge him, respectfully but firmly, to lower the temperature and to lend his considerable influence to the work of healing rather than division,” Dr. Acheampong said.
He acknowledged that some individuals associated with Dr. Bawumia’s campaign, as well as his own campaign, directed disrespectful comments and insults at Mr. Agyapong during and after the primary contest.
Dr. Acheampong said such conduct was unfortunate and should have been addressed more quickly by party elders.
However, he stressed that there is no evidence that Dr. Bawumia authorised or supported those attacks.
According to him, the individuals involved acted on personal grievances and their actions should not be attributed to the NPP flagbearer or the party as a whole.
He noted that harsh words were exchanged by people on different sides during the contest, including Mr. Agyapong and some of his supporters, but said those comments were made in the heat of the campaign.
Dr. Acheampong called on all parties to forgive one another and work towards reconciliation.
He emphasized that the focus should be on supporting Dr. Bawumia and strengthening the NPP ahead of the 2028 elections.
“Dr. Bawumia is now the candidate of all of us. He carries the mandate not only of those who voted for him, but of every member who voted for Ken, for me, and for the others who contested,” he said.
Dr. Acheampong appealed to Mr. Agyapong, their supporters and all party members to end internal disputes and work together for the party’s success.
He concluded by stating that unity remains the NPP’s best path to victory in the next general election.
“Unity is not weakness. Unity is how we win,” he said.
By: Jacob Aggrey
