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Merck Foundation expands cancer care capacity in Africa
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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
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Construction of a major underground stormwater drain along the Dr. Busia Highway within the Kaneshie enclave will commence on September 7, 2026.
The Project Coordinator for the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project, Dr. Kwadwo Ohene Sarfo, announced this at a special media briefing on Wednesday.
According to him, the works will involve the construction of a double-cell underground rectangular drain measuring approximately 10 metres wide and 1.95 kilometres long, stretching from Pamprom Junction to First Light Junction.
The new drain will replace the existing two 1.2-metre diameter pipes, which are inadequate to carry the volume of stormwater in the area.
Dr. Sarfo said the drain will connect at one end to the recently completed section within the Accra Academy campus and at the other end to the existing drain at Pamprom Junction.
He said the construction is expected to run from September 2026 to October 2027.
The project forms part of government’s broader flood prevention and mitigation programme aimed at addressing perennial flooding in Accra.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has withdrawn from the party’s National Chairmanship race.
In a statement issued yesterday, Chairman Wontumi who is currently serving a 20-year jail term said his decision was driven by his love for the party and his unwillingness to let his personal circumstances distract the NPP from its rebuilding efforts.
“There are moments in the life of a man when the heart wants to continue, but duty demands sacrifice. Moments when one must quietly set aside personal ambition, not because the dream has died, but because the family he loves must not be made to carry his burden. Today, I find myself at such a painful moment,” he wrote.
He disclosed that after many nights of prayer, sober reflection and consultations with his family, legal team, party elders, campaign team and trusted supporters, he concluded that his present situation must not become an additional burden on the NPP.
“This is not the decision my heart desired, but sometimes, true love requires us to release what we deeply want in order to protect what we love even more,” he added.
Recounting his years of service, Chairman Wontumi said he had served the party with everything within him, walking through heat and rain, travelling to remote communities and standing with the grassroots in both victory and defeat.
“For many years, I have served the NPP with everything within me… The NPP is not merely a political party to me. It is my family. It is my home. It is a cause to which I have dedicated a significant part of my life,” he stated.
He explained that the party, already carrying the pain of electoral defeat and the huge responsibility of preparing for the future, should not be made to carry his personal weight.
“That is why I cannot allow my present situation or personal ambition to distract the party from the difficult work of rebuilding. I cannot ask the party to carry my weight when it is already carrying the pain of defeat and the enormous responsibility of preparing for the battle ahead. I would rather carry this pain quietly than allow the party I love to suffer because of me,” he said.
He further sympathized with his supporters across the 16 regions, acknowledging that the decision would be painful for many who had sacrificed for his campaign.
“To my teeming supporters across all sixteen regions, I know this message will hurt. I know many of you will read it with tears in your eyes because I understand the sacrifices you have made for this journey,” he said.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
