Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com)​ marked a milestone of providing 146 scholarships to Ghanian doctors in 42 critical specialties during their annual Alumni Summit – Celebrating their legacy of transforming patient care landscape in Ghana; Merck Foundation Ghana Alumni Summit and Merck Foundation Awards Ceremony 2024 were conducted in Accra, chaired by Ghana First Lady and Merck Foundation CEO and Chairman.

Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany conducted the Merck Foundation Ghana Annual Summit and Awards Ceremony 2024 in Accra, Ghana, chaired by The First Lady of Ghana, H.E. Mrs. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, and CEO of Merck Foundation, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej. During the Summit, they met and acknowledged the Merck Foundation Alumni and the Winners of the Merck Foundation Recognition Awards 2023 from Ghana.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of “More Than a Mother” Campaign emphasized, “It is a great honor to meet my dear sister, H.E. The First Lady of Republic of Ghana and the Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” to discuss our long-term partnership, celebrate our great achievements and mark an important milestone of success and impact of our programs, since 2018. I am very happy to share that we have together transformed the patientcare landscape of Ghana by providing 146 scholarships of One-Year Online PG Diploma and Two-Year Master Degree for local doctors in many underserved and critical medical specialties in Ghana such as Fertility, Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Respiratory, Acute Medicine, Sexual and Reproductive care, Embryology, Respiratory, Critical care, Psychiatry, General Surgery, Dermatology, Emergency and Resuscitation Medicine, Gastroenterology, Neuroimaging for Research, Pain Management, Rheumatology, and Neonatal Medicine and more. This is a huge milestone and revolution in patient care across Ghana.

Moreover, it was amazing to felicitate the 33 winners of Merck Foundation Media, Fashion and Song Awards 2022 and 2023 from Ghana and discuss with them the critical role they can play to create a culture shift, be the voice of the voiceless and be the Merck Foundation health and social champions”, added Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej.

Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, Merck Foundation Board of Trustees emphasized, “Our aim is to improve the overall health and wellbeing of people by building healthcare capacity across Africa, Asia and other developing countries. We are strongly committed to transforming patientcare landscape through our scholarships program.”

H.E. Mrs. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO, The First Lady of Republic of Ghana, Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” expressed, “It is a pleasure to welcome and meet Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO to our country. Together we celebrated an important milestone of the great success of our joined programs and also shared the impact of our partnership journey that we have with Merck Foundation to build healthcare capacity, transform patientcare, break infertility stigma and support girl education in our country since 2018.

In a very short time, we have been able to provide 146 scholarships to our young doctors in many specialties which are very critical for us.”

Merck Foundation has provided 1810 scholarships to doctors from 52 countries in 42 critical and underserved medical specialties.

“Merck Foundation and The First Lady of Ghana are together transforming the cancer care in the country,” Dr. Rasha Kelej Added.

Out of the total 146 scholarships provided in Ghana, Merck Foundation has provided 39 scholarships to doctors for Fertility, Embryology, Sexual&Reproductive Medicine and Women’s Health. This is a huge number that will advance women’s health in the country.

61 scholarships have been provided for Diabetes, Endocrinology, Preventive Cardiovascular, and Obesity&Weight Management, for Ghanaian doctors from different provinces across the country, which is very important to improve access to quality and equitable diabetes and hypertension patient care not only in Accra but nationwide. After completion of the course, these doctors will be able to establish diabetes or hypertension clinics in their Health Centre or Hospital with the aim to help prevent and manage the disease in their own communities.

6 scholarships have been provided to doctors for Oncology.

Moreover, Merck Foundation has also provided 40 scholarships to Ghanian doctors for other critical and underserved specialties like Acute Medicine, Respiratory, Critical care, General Surgery, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Gastroenterology, Pain Management and many more, as part of Merck Foundation Capacity Advancement Program.

During the Summit, Merck Foundation Awards Ceremony was held, during which Merck Foundation Chairman, Merck Foundation CEO together with Ghana First Lady met and acknowledged the 33 Winners of the Merck Foundation Awards.

Moreover, Merck Foundation also conducted their Health Media Training in partnership with The First Lady of Ghana and Ghana Journalists Association for the Ghanian journalists, to emphasize on the important role that media plays to influence society to create a cultural shift with the aim to address wide range of social and health issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels; to underscore the importance of Empowering Girls and Women in Education and to understand the Influence of infertility stigma and other social issues like GBV, Child Marriage, FGM etc. on women and couples – Social and Psychological Impact. Apart from this, the media training also included a session on the importance of increasing the awareness of early detection and prevention of Diabetes and Hypertension. The training session was addressed by prominent Medical and Media Experts.

Moreover, Merck Foundation is working closely with Ghana First Lady foundation  to inspire girls and sensitize communities about the importance of girl education. As a part of their ‘Educating Linda’ program, Merck Foundation will sponsor the education of 20 deserving schoolgirls. Together, they also executed the TV program “Because I Want To Be” with the aim to reduce dropout rate for adolescent girls and make sure they stay on in school till after SHS and to provide employable skills to adolescent girls who cannot go back to school.

“I really believe that when the girls are educated, their countries become more powerful, stronger&prosperous”, added Senator Kelej.  

Moreover, Merck Foundation Chairman, and Merck Foundation CEO together with The First Lady of Ghana signed  a few copies of their different children’s storybooks titled: “More Than a Mother” created for children and youth to emphasize and strengthen family values of love and respect from an early age; “Educating Aku”, “Jackline’s Rescue” and “Ride into the Future”  to emphasize on the importance of empowering girls through education, “Not Who You Are” to teach boys to love and respect their future wives and eliminate domestic violence, to emphasize on the importance of empowering girls through education and “Sugar Free Jude” and “Mark’s Pressure” to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness on the early detection and prevention of Diabetes&Hypertension. Thousands of  copies of these storybooks are going to be distributed to school students of Ghana.

Winners from Ghana in partnership with The First Lady of Ghana, H.E. Mrs. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO&Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” are:

Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” Media Recognition Awards 2023

Raissa Sambou, The Spectator, First Position, Print Category
Emelia Naa Ayeley Aryee, Myjoyonline, First Position, Online Category
Mavis Offei Acheampong, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Second Position, Radio Category
Emmanuel Samani, TV3, First Position, Multimedia Category
Stanley Nii Blewu, TV3, Second Position, Multimedia Category

Merck Foundation “Diabetes&Hypertension” Media Awards 2023

Jennifer Ambolley, Chronicle, First Position, Print Category
Godwin Awuni Anafo, Daily Graphic, Second Position, Print Category
Muniratu Akweley Issah, Ghana News Agency, Second Position, Online Category
Cecilia Lagba Yada, Ghanaian Times, Third Position, Online Category
Grace Hammoah Agyemang, TV3, First Position, Multimedia Category

Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” Media Recognition Awards 2022

Agnes Opoku Sarpong, New Times Corporation, First Position, Print Category
Georgina Appiah, CitiNewsroom.com, First Position, Online Category
Raissa Sambou, Ghanaian Times, Third Position, Online Category
Emelia Naa Ayeley Aryee, Freelance Journalist, Third Position, Online Category
Mavis Offei Acheampong, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, First Position, Radio Category
Ohemeng Tawiah, JoyNews TV, First Position, Multimedia Category
Emmanuel Bright Quaicoe&Anita Serwaa Adzoga, Multimedia Group, Third Position, Multimedia Category
Sarah Apenkroh, TV3, Third Position, Multimedia Category

Merck Foundation “Diabetes&Hypertension” Media Awards 2022

Abigail Nana Efua Arthur, Ghanaian Times, First Position, Print Category
Ernest Senanu Dovlo, Metro Television Online, Second Position, Online Category
Vida Essel, GhanaPlus.com, Third Position, Online Category
Muniratu Akweley Issah, Ghana News Agency, Third Position, Online Category
Zadok Kwame Gyesi, Daily Graphic Online, Third Position, Online Category
Sarah Teiki Ofori, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, First Position, Multimedia Category

Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” Fashion Awards 2022

Esther Awukubea
David Kwabena Appiah
Ambe Odette Awah (Ody Fachy)

Merck Foundation “Diabetes&Hypertension” Fashion Awards 2022

Eric Adomako
Linda Mensah
Dorcas Baliki
Jude Aryeetey 
Bridgette Prah

Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” Song Awards 2022

Fouad Sarpong (eftii)

During the training session, the Call for applications for their 8 important awards in partnership with The First Lady of Ghana were announced for Media, Musicians, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, students, and new potential talents in these fields. Details of the awards below:

Details of the Awards:

1. Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition Awards “More Than a Mother” 2024: Media representatives and media students are invited to showcase their work to raise awareness about one or more of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels.

Submission deadline: 30th September 2024.

2. Merck Foundation Film Awards “More Than a Mother” 2024:  All African Filmmakers, Students of Film Making Training Institutions, or Young Talents of Africa are invited to create and share a long or short FILMS, either drama, documentary, or docudrama to deliver strong and influential messages to address one or more of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels.

Submission deadline: 30th September 2024.

3. Merck Foundation Fashion Awards “More Than a Mother” 2024: All African Fashion Students and Designers are invited to create and share designs to deliver strong and influential messages to raise awareness about one or more of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels.

Submission deadline: 30th September 2024.

4. Merck Foundation Song Awards “More Than a Mother” 2024: All African Singers and Musical Artists are invited to create and share a SONG with the aim to address one or more of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels.

Submission deadline: 30th September 2024.

5. Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards 2024 “Diabetes&Hypertension”: Media representatives are invited to showcase their work through strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

Submission deadline: 30th October 2024.

6. Merck Foundation Film Awards 2024 “Diabetes&Hypertension”: All African Filmmakers, Students of Film Making Training Institutions, or Young Talents of Africa are invited to create and share a long or short FILMS, either drama, documentary, or docudrama to deliver strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

Submission deadline: 30th October 2024.

7. Merck Foundation Fashion Awards 2024 “Diabetes&Hypertension”: All African Fashion Students and Designers are invited to create and share designs to deliver strong and influential messages to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

Submission deadline: 30th October 2024.

8. Merck Foundation Song Awards 2024 “Diabetes&Hypertension”: All African Singers and Musical Artists are invited to create and share a SONG with the aim to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

Submission deadline: 30th October 2024.

Entries for all the awards are to be submitted via email to:

submit@merck-foundation.com

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.

More images: https://apo-opa.co/3VgsiIg

Contact details:
Mehak Handa
Community Awareness Program Manager
+91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669
mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com

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About Merck Foundation:
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality&equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare and scientific research capacity and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website. Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/3XoCjps), Twitter (https://apo-opa.co/45pjPqQ), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/45qYD3M), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/45lTKsN) and Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/3Vqz2Dm).

Energy Capital&Power (ECP) (www.EnergyCapitalPower.com)– Africa’s leading investment platform – has partnered with the South African Institute of Architects (SAIA) for the SAIA national convention (AZA 2024). Taking place September 4-7, 2024 in Johannesburg, the conference is a celebration of the practice, art, utility and conscience of modern architecture in South Africa.

Hosted by SAIA in collaboration with the Gauteng Institute for Architecture and the University of Johannesburg, the 2024 event will be organized by ECP, and returns for its fourth edition as the premier event for the South African architecture sector. The event unites companies and investors from across ten countries, with over 1,500 stakeholders expected to participate this year. 

AZA 2024 will unite project developers, investors, designers, policymakers, students and more under one platform to explore opportunities and challenges in South African architecture. The event will offer practical, educational and forward-looking insights, equipping attendees with the information they need to make informed and innovative decisions across the market.

Since its launch in 2012, AZA has emerged as the platform of choice for architects and urban planners, designers and builders, academics and researchers, and policymakers and government to discuss the future of South Africa’s built environment. The conference offers a myriad of participation opportunities, including high-level panel discussions, multifaceted exhibitions, sponsorships and networking functions, all of which are designed to place your brand at the forefront of the country’s architecture space. In 2024, the event returns bigger and better than before, and is tailored to drive investment, foster partnerships and accelerate the development of the industry for the betterment of the national economy.

“As the leading investment platform for the African energy sector, ECP has a wealth of experience in producing world-class, infrastructure-focused events across Africa. We are proud to partner with SAIA for this exciting conference and look forward to delivering a platform that bolsters engagement, investment and progress across the South African architecture landscape,” states Devi Paulsen-Abbott, CEO of ECP.

For more insight about this exciting event, visit www.ArchitectureZA.org.za.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.

The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org), the African Union Commission (AUC), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have signed a protocol agreement for $5.2 million in grant financing to strengthen investment, human capital and philanthropic engagement from the diaspora in eight African countries.

The agreement was signed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Tripartite Funding and Implementation Agreement will support the ‘’Streamlining Diaspora Engagement to Catalyze Private Investments and Entrepreneurship for Enhanced Resilience’’ (SDE4R) project. The target countries are The Gambia, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Somalia, South Sudan, Togo and Zimbabwe.

The project will assist the recipient countries to identify the best methods for effectively mobilizing the human and financial capital of the diaspora, either to support socioeconomic development by reviving the domestic private sector, or recovery from political or humanitarian crisis by leveraging the expertise and networks of Diaspora groups.

Dr. Abdul Kamara, African Development Bank Deputy Director General for East Africa, said the project will stimulate business opportunities and technical support for socio-economic resilience across the continent by promoting innovative financing tools and skills transfer initiatives.

He added: “The signing of the SDE4R project grant agreement today is an important step towards leveraging the diaspora engagement to catalyze private investments and entrepreneurship for enhanced resilience among populations, including women, youth, and rural dwellers. This intervention will help spur investments supporting the most vulnerable groups in beneficiary countries, including forcibly displaced populations and hosting communities.”

Ms. Betty Mupenda Wangozi, Acting Director of the African Union Commission’s Citizens and Diaspora Organization Directorate, underscored the timeliness of the agreement in view of her organization’s lead role in coordinating efforts to harness the contribution of the diaspora to Africa’s development. She added that the SDE4R project will greatly advance the AU 2063 Agenda in the beneficiary countries.

Ms. Mariama Cisse Mohamed, Director of the IOM Special Liaison Office in Addis Ababa said the project aligned with her organisation’s mandate to promote socio-economic development through migration while providing humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees and internally displaced populations. “As such, this agreement constitutes a stepping stone for more comprehensive interventions envisioned across the African continent based on existing and scalable initiatives on diaspora engagement for private sector development.”

In addition to governments of the eight target countries, the project is expected to have 10,000 direct beneficiaries and 40,000 indirect beneficiaries in communities affected by conflict, climate change and other humanitarian and environmental disasters.

The Bank approved the SDE4R project on 4 July 2023, with funding from its Transition Support Facility (TSF). The International Organization for Migration will implement the project over three years with strategic oversight, guidance and advisory from the African Union Commission. This is a concrete example of a Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Nexus partnership focused on implementation of strategic frameworks and shared priorities.

An estimated 160 million Africans are in the diaspora; the nearly $96 billion they remitted to the continent in 2021 far exceeded the $35 billion in official development assistance that flowed into Africa in the same year.

Editor’s Note: A previous version of this press release issued on 2 December 2023 included an error in the headline and lead paragraph. This version updates the dollar value of the grant financing.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Contact: 
Olufemi Terry 
Communication and External Relations Department 
African Development Bank 
media@afdb.org

Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar 
Senior Communication Officer
Information and Communication Directorate (ICD),
African Union Commission
GamalK@africa-union.org

Eric Mazango
Communications Officer
International Organization for Migration
emazango@iom.int

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has signed an agreement for a US$100-million trade finance facility in favour of Rawbank to assist the Bank increase trade flows into and out of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The facility, the largest trade finance facility ever provided by Afreximbank to a commercial bank in the DRC, is also expected to help reduce pressure on the country’s balance of payments using the trade finance instrument offered by the Afreximbank Trade Finance Facility (AFTRAF) programme. It will also create business opportunities for Rawbank and its clients while supporting the economic development of the DRC.

Speaking during the signing ceremony held as part of the ongoing Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM2024), Haytham Elmaayergi, Executive Vice President, Global Trade Bank, Afreximbank, highlighted the contribution the facility would make in supporting economic development in the DRC.

“We are very pleased to deploy this important facility in the DRC to support such a strategic partner as Rawbank,” said Mr. Elmaayergi. “Our partnership with Rawbank will be further strengthened to support economic development in the DRC. Our synergies can only help to build the Africa we want by unleashing the full potential of intra-African and global trade for the benefit of our people.”  

He noted that AFTRAF was structured to provide trade confirmation services, trade confirmation guarantees and irrevocable reimbursement undertakings to clients, adding that it was designed to counter the recurring trend of reduction or withdrawal of trade lines to African banks by the international banks following the de-risking process.

Commenting during the deal signing ceremony, Didier Tilman, Vice-President, Business Development, for Rawbank noted: “Today marks a significant milestone for Rawbank and for the Democratic Republic of Congo. This agreement with Afreximbank represents not only a substantial injection of capital into our trade finance capabilities but also a testament to the confidence placed in Rawbank as a key player in driving economic growth and facilitating trade in the region”

AAM2024, happening concurrently with the third Africaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF2024), will end on 15 June.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

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About Afreximbank:
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra-and extra-African trade. For 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialization and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank is setting up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2023, Afreximbank’s total assets and guarantees stood at over US$37.3 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$6.1 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody’s (Baa1), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.

For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com

About Rawbank:
Rawbank has been supporting the development of the Congolese economy for 20 years. It offers the most modern products and services to its 500,000+ corporate, SME and individual customers through a network of 100 outlets in 19 of the country’s provinces, including Greater Katanga, Greater Kasai, the two Kivus, Equateur and Central Kongo. This vast network of branches is complemented by a representative office in Brussels and 300 ATMs. With over 1,800 employees, Rawbank has a market share of over 30%. Strength, profitability and sustainability are Rawbank’s priorities in consolidating its growth strategy. Its efforts have been rewarded with the African Bankers Award 2022 and 2024 for the best regional bank in Central Africa, a Moody’s CAA 1 rating, and ISO/IEC 20000 and ISO/IEC 27001 certifications. RAWBANK’s partners include IFC, BAD, TDB, BADEA, Shelter Africa, AGF, etc.