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New African Magazine names Merck Foundation CEO among 100 most influential Africans
The UK based New African Magazine has named the Chief Executive Officer of Merck Foundation, Rasha Kelej, among the 100 Most Influential Africans for 2025.
Dr. Kelej appears on the list alongside the Presidents of Angola, South Africa and Ghana.
The annual list recognises African leaders, innovators and change makers whose work continues to shape the continent and improve lives.
According to the magazine, the 2025 special edition highlights individuals whose influence is driving progress in areas such as public service, business, technology, health, education, media, sports and social development.
Dr. Kelej described the recognition as an honour and a strong motivation to continue her work across Africa.
She explained that the award reflected her long standing commitment to strengthening healthcare systems, supporting women living with infertility and promoting education for girls through Merck Foundation programmes.
Under her leadership, Merck Foundation has rolled out several health and social initiatives across Africa and other regions.
These include scholarships for doctors and healthcare workers to train in critical medical specialties, programmes aimed at improving access to quality healthcare and campaigns to address stigma linked to infertility.
The foundation’s flagship “More Than a Mother” campaign focuses on reproductive and fertility health, public education and mindset change, while also supporting women and girls through training and awareness activities.
Over the years, Merck Foundation has awarded about 2,500 scholarships to healthcare providers from more than 50 countries.
Many of the beneficiaries have become the first trained specialists in their fields in their home countries.
The foundation has also supported girl education by providing over 1,200 scholarships to bright but underprivileged schoolgirls across several African countries, including Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
New African Magazine noted that Dr. Kelej’s work has gone beyond healthcare to address wider social issues such as child marriage, gender based violence and discrimination against women.
Her efforts have also brought together media, arts and creative communities to raise awareness and give a voice to vulnerable groups.
The recognition adds to Dr. Kelej’s growing reputation as one of Africa’s leading voices in healthcare development and women’s empowerment.
By: Jacob Aggrey
President John Dramani Mahama has visited the Akosombo Dam to assess the impact of a fire incident at a substation operated by the Ghana Grid Company.
The fire is reported to have caused the loss of more than 1,000 megawatts from the national power grid, affecting electricity supply in parts of the country.
During the visit, he inspected ongoing restoration works and received briefings from engineers on efforts to restore power. He commended them for what he described as a swift and professional response to the situation.
According to him, the government remains committed to restoring stable electricity supply as quickly as possible.
He added that steps are also being taken to strengthen the resilience of Ghana’s energy infrastructure to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Ghana Grid Company has not yet provided a detailed timeline for full restoration, but work is ongoing to bring affected systems back on stream.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana’s Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson, says he and his deputy have publicly filed their annual tax returns to demonstrate leadership and encourage compliance among citizens.
In a facebook post, he explained that the move was meant to show that public officials must lead by example when it comes to fulfilling civic duties.
“Leadership must be demonstrated, not declared,” he said.
He commended Ghanaian taxpayers for their continued contribution to national development, noting that tax compliance plays a key role in sustaining government activities.
According to him, paying taxes is both a legal and moral responsibility. He stressed that all citizens, including public officials, professionals, and businesses, are equal before the law and must meet their tax obligations.
He added that tax revenue is essential for funding key sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security.
The minister praised the Ghana Revenue Authority for its work, especially during the ongoing Tax and Good Governance Month in April. He said the initiative helps to educate the public and promote voluntary compliance.
He urged the authority to intensify public education and continue reforms aimed at simplifying tax processes, reducing compliance costs, and improving transparency.
He further encouraged individuals and businesses that are yet to file their returns to do so promptly, adding that support systems and digital platforms are available to assist them.
He said building a strong tax culture would strengthen the country’s economy, improve accountability, and promote fairness in society.
By: Jacob Aggrey
