News
Merck Foundation reaffirms commitment to girls’ education, scholarships, medical training programmes
The Chief Executive Officer of Merck Foundation, Dr Rasha Kelej, has reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to supporting girls’ education and strengthening healthcare systems across Africa and Asia through scholarships and medical training programmes.
Speaking at the 13th Edition of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2026, held virtually, Dr Kelej said educating girls remains one of the Foundation’s key priorities because it empowers them to achieve their dreams and contribute meaningfully to society.
The virtual meeting brought together First Ladies from about 13 African countries including policymakers, health experts and development partners to discuss solutions for strengthening healthcare systems and improving patient outcomes across Africa and Asia.
She disclosed that 50 per cent of all scholarships awarded by the Foundation were reserved for female healthcare professionals as part of efforts to promote women’s empowerment and gender equity in the health sector.
According to her, Merck Foundation has awarded more than 2,000 scholarships to healthcare providers in critical underserved specialties, including oncology, family medicine, paediatrics and child health, while also supporting efforts to improve mental healthcare and reduce stigma associated with mental illness.
Dr Kelej noted that many African countries continue to face challenges such as inadequate financial resources and shortages of trained healthcare professionals, making investment in medical education essential for improving healthcare delivery.
Meanwhile, the Director of Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), India, Prof. Dr Sudeep Gupta, praised the partnership between Merck Foundation and Tata Memorial Centre, describing it as a successful model for healthcare capacity building.
Prof. Gupta said the collaboration, which began in 2016, has supported 141 scholarships for healthcare professionals from 27 African countries.
He explained that the initiative aims to improve access to quality and equitable cancer care, particularly in underserved communities, while addressing the shortage of trained oncology specialists across the continent.
According to him, Tata Memorial Centre, one of India’s leading cancer institutions, currently operates 11 hospitals across seven states and treats thousands of cancer patients annually, many from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The scholarship programme has provided training in several oncology specialties, including medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, paediatric oncology, gynecologic oncology and palliative care. It has also supported training for nurses, laboratory technologists, radiation technologists and oncology researchers.
Prof. Gupta stressed that cancer care requires a multidisciplinary approach involving different healthcare professionals working together to deliver quality care.
He expressed gratitude to Merck Foundation, African and Asian First Ladies, and participating governments for supporting the initiative.
He reaffirmed Tata Memorial Centre’s commitment to expanding the partnership through education, research and institutional collaboration to ensure that every patient, regardless of financial status, has access to timely, affordable and high-quality cancer care.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
A 29-year-old tricycle rider, Naah Mashood, has been sentenced to 14 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling a three-year-old girl at Tiegber in the Wa Municipality.
The Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Upper West Regional Police Command arrested the suspect on February 24, 2026, following a complaint lodged by the victim’s mother.
According to police, the convict, who had been contracted by the parents to pick the victim to and from school, lured her to an isolated location on February 23, 2026, and sexually assaulted her inside his tricycle, popularly known as ‘Camboo’.
After thorough investigations, he was arraigned before the Wa District Magistrate Court and subsequently stood trial at the Wa High Court.
On October 30, 2026, His Lordship Justice Osei-Wusu found him guilty of defilement and sentenced him to 14 years imprisonment with hard labour.
The Upper West Regional Police Command has commended the officers involved in the investigation and prosecution, as well as all persons who contributed to ensuring justice was served.
The Command urged parents and guardians to keep a close eye on their children and ensure their safety at all times, and encouraged the public to report suspected cases of child abuse and defilement to the nearest police station or DOVVSU office for prompt action.
It further assured the public of its commitment to protecting children and ensuring perpetrators of sexual offences are brought to justice.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Ashanti Regional Police Command has announced the arrest of three suspected members of a criminal syndicate believed to be behind a series of robberies targeting bank customers in Kumasi and its environs.
On October 31, 2026, at about 11:30 pm, an IGP’s Special Team, comprising personnel from the Anti-Armed Robbery Unit of the CID Headquarters and the Accra Regional Police Intelligence Directorate (PID), acting on intelligence, embarked on an operation to apprehend the suspects.
The operation led to the arrest of two Nigerian nationals, Aboy Promise, 30, and Favour Uwalaka, 45, at a hotel at Moshie Zongo. A search of their rooms resulted in the recovery of GH¢1,600.00, assorted mobile phones, a Royal motorbike and a master key used to gain unauthorized access to victims’ vehicles to steal cash.
During interrogation, the suspects admitted their involvement in the robberies and mentioned two accomplices, Chinedu, alias Alhaji, and Kingsley, alias KC.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the syndicate monitored banking premises, identified customers who withdrew substantial sums of money and trailed them before attacking and robbing them. They also broke into unattended vehicles belonging to bank customers using a master key to steal cash kept inside.
The suspects subsequently led the police team to another hotel at Dechemso, a suburb of Kumasi, where Kingsley, alias KC, 35, also a Nigerian national, was arrested.
The remaining accomplice, Chinedu, alias Alhaji, is currently on the run. The Command is appealing to the public to volunteer credible information that could lead to his arrest. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to report to the nearest police station or contact the police through emergency numbers 191, 112 or the toll-free MTN and Telecel line 18555.
The suspects admitted to robbing a victim of GH¢15,000.00 at Asokore Mampong on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, after the victim had withdrawn money from Kwamang Rural Bank. They also admitted to similar robberies at the Atonsu branch of Fidelity Bank, the Ahodwo branch of Access Bank and other locations within Kumasi and its environs.
The three arrested suspects have since been handed over to the Ashanti Regional Police Command and are assisting with investigations.
The Command has cautioned bank customers to remain vigilant, be alert to suspicious persons around banking premises and avoid leaving cash or other valuables unattended in vehicles, while commending the public for their continued cooperation and assuring residents of its commitment to combating robbery and other criminal activities in the region.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
