News
Merck Foundation expands cancer care capacity in Africa
MERCK Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, has intensified efforts to build cancer care capacity across the continent.
The initiative is being carried out through the Foundation’s Cancer Access Programme, which seeks to address Africa’s shortage of trained oncologists and improve early diagnosis and treatment outcomes.
This is being done in partnership with Africa’s First Ladies and Ministries of Health to mark World Cancer Day 2026.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Executive Officer of Merck Foundation, Senator Dr Rasha Kelej (Ret), said the Foundation’s World Cancer Day activities reflect its long-term commitment to transforming cancer care in Africa.
She noted that late diagnosis and the lack of trained specialists remain two of the most critical gaps in cancer care on the continent.
To bridge this gap, she said the foundation, in collaboration with African First Ladies, has provided 258 oncology scholarships to healthcare professionals from 34 African and Asian countries, significantly increasing the number of trained oncologists and multidisciplinary cancer care teams.
“In several of these countries, there was not even a single oncologist,” Dr Kelej said, adding that the foundation is proud to be training the first oncologists and cancer care teams in countries such as The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Burundi, Liberia, Guinea Conakry, the Central African Republic, Chad and Niger.
Overall, she stated that the foundation has awarded more than 2,500 scholarships to healthcare providers from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties, with cancer care remaining a key focus.
Under the Cancer Access Programme, Dr Kelej said the foundation is establishing multidisciplinary oncology care teams through one-year clinical training in several sub-specialties, including medical oncology, surgical oncology, paediatric oncology, gynaecological oncology, breast oncology, haemato-oncology, radiation oncology, pathology oncology, palliative care, oncology nursing and related fields.
In addition, she said Merck Foundation is offering one- and two-year postgraduate diploma and master’s degree programmes in cancer and clinical oncology, medical oncology and pain management, in partnership with leading universities in the United Kingdom, including the University of South Wales, University of Buckingham, Queen Mary University of London and Cardiff University.
The beneficiary countries include Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe and several others across Africa and Asia.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO) data (2022), Africa records about 1.1 million new cancer cases and nearly 700,000 cancer-related deaths annually. Mortality rates remain high due to late diagnosis, limited access to care and weak health systems.
Dr Kelej stressed that nearly two-thirds of cancer cases can be successfully treated when detected early, while up to one-third can be prevented by reducing key risk factors.
As part of its awareness efforts, Merck Foundation has launched a children’s storybook and animation film titled “Ray of Hope”, developed in partnership with African First Ladies to promote early detection and cancer awareness, particularly childhood cancer.
She reiterated the foundation’s commitment to strengthening cancer care systems and leading Africa towards a healthier future.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
Ghanaian music icon, Akwasi Poku Addae, known in Showbiz circles as Kwaisey Pee has honoured his promise to children suffering from cancer.
Ahead of his 25th anniversary event held at the D’ Icon Event Centre at East Legon last year, he made a promise to donate some funds to children suffering from cancer.
True to his word, the musician has recently made a donation of GHC50,000 to the Paediatric Oncology Unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
He told the Ghanaian Times that children are so dear to him, and was optimistic the support would go a long way too impact lives.
The music dynamo also promised that the gesture will not be the last,” it will be a continuous feature from me.”
He also called on Ghanaians home and abroad to lend a helping hand to children suffering from cancer.
According to him, children with cancer have many needs, and a helping hands will go a long way ease the suffering.
“Cancer treatment is very expensive, and leaving that to parents of the children alone, will be a huge burden, with support from you and myself, we can make some changes in other people’s lives,” he concluded.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
A disagreement has emerged between Member of Parliament for Berekum West, Dickson Kyere-Duah, and energy consultant Kwadwo Poku over government funding for Ghana’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The debate centred on government’s decision to budget about 13 million dollars to support the national team, even though FIFA is expected to provide an appearance fee of about 10.5 million dollars if Ghana qualifies for the tournament.
During the discussion on Joys news , Mr Poku questioned why the government should allocate such an amount when FIFA already provides funds to participating countries.
According to him, the appearance fee alone should help cover some of the country’s expenses.
He argued that if FIFA is giving Ghana 10.5 million dollars simply for qualifying for the tournament, it raises questions about the need for the government to appropriate additional funds.
Mr Kyere Duah, however, explained that the government’s allocation was part of advance planning captured in the national budget even before the final qualification results were known.
He noted that the budget for the tournament period was prepared in November 2025, when it was not certain that Ghana would qualify.
He stressed that budgeting does not automatically mean the entire amount will be spent.
According to him, the funds are meant to prepare the team from the start of the competition period until the end of the tournament.
Mr Kyere Duah explained that if the team exits the tournament early, the full amount allocated in the budget will not be used.
Mr Poku maintained that FIFA already provides financial support to teams for participating in the World Cup and insisted that the government must clearly justify additional spending.
The discussion extended to the role of the Ghana Football Association in managing the national teams.
Mr Poku described the association as a private institution and argued that FIFA also operates as a private body that does not allow government interference.
He explained that FIFA provides funds to teams to support their preparation and participation in the tournament.
Mr Kyere Duah, however, maintained that national teams represent the country and require government support to operate effectively.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News1 week agoFinance Minister outlines new gold policies to boost reserves and curb smuggling
- News1 week ago
Sam George launches the 2026 Meteorological Awareness Month; presents the 2026 seasonal forecast for southern Ghana
- Hot!1 week ago
Breaking: Footballer who killed two children in Abesim handed lifetime sentence
