The Ministry of Information has completed a one-year training program in journalism and mass communication for its 24 members, including 9 females and one member from the Ministry of Agriculture.

The training, which covered both theoretical and practical aspects, included all types of media: press, radio, and television. It encompassed basic concepts and the meaning of news, interview modalities, news writing and editing, program production, public relations and promotion, journalism laws and ethics, layout design, social media use, basic political knowledge, international relations, anthropology, sociology, and English language.

In his keynote address during the graduation event yesterday, Mr. Yemane Gebremeskel, Minister of Information, emphasized the significance of harnessing the hardware and software tools afforded by new technology in this post-industrial age, characterized by exponential growth and dominance of information technology. He highlighted that these tools are critical and indispensable for the dissemination of balanced narratives to a wider, global audience.

Minister Yemane also noted that Eritrea’s detractors continue to leverage their vast resources and networks to peddle toxic narratives about the country. He stressed that addressing and rectifying this anomaly requires continuous upgrading and reinforcement of human capital, as well as higher knowledge of and greater familiarization with all the new tools and platforms of information dissemination, including social media.

Mr. Abdulahi Damr, head of human resources development at the Ministry, acknowledged the Ministry’s strong efforts to develop its human resources through organized training programs and commended the trainees for their dedication and interest during the program.

A representative of the trainees expressed gratitude for the training opportunity and conveyed their commitment to applying the skills and knowledge acquired in their daily activities at the Ministry.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Mr. Osman Saleh, Minister of Foreign Affairs, delivered a message from President Isaias Afwerki to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of the Republic of Egypt on 8 August 2024. The message and subsequent discussions focused on enhancing bilateral ties and addressing international and regional issues of mutual importance.

President El-Sisi, in turn, expressed his well-wishes to President Isaias Afwerki.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Badr Abdel-Aty, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration, and Egyptian Expats, Mr. Fasil Gebreslasie, Eritrean Ambassador to the Republic of Egypt, along with other senior officials.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Ms. Reena Ghelani, UN Assistant Secretary General and Climate Crises Coordinator for the El Niño Response, met and held talks with various Eritrean Government officials, including Mr. Tesfay Gebreselasie, Minister of Land, Water and Environment; Mr. Arefaine Berhe, Minister of Agriculture; and Dr. Gergis Teklemicael, Minister of Finance and National Development. During her meetings, Ms. Reena conducted extensive discussions focusing on Eritrea’s efforts to address climate change challenges and the progress made so far.

In her meeting with Minister Tesfay Gebreselasie, Ms. Reena received a detailed briefing on the progress of environmental protection projects in Hamelmalo, the development of reserved lands in the Northern and Southern Red Sea Regions, land management in Serejeka, and projects related to environmental protection in Tsilima Plains, Rora Habab, and the southeast area of the country.

During her meeting with Minister Arefaine Berhe, Ms. Reena was briefed on water and soil conservation, forestation activities, and the achievements already registered. The discussions also covered ecosystem management in terms of the accords Eritrea has signed over time, the country’s priority development programs, and the efforts being made to ensure food security.

Ms. Reena also held extensive discussions with Dr. Gergis Teklemicael, focusing on climate crises and funding to address these crises.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Merck Foundation’s (www.MerckFoundation.com) Rasha Kelej marks World Infertility Awareness Month at the World Infertility Awareness Summit (WIAS)2024 through releasing the first Animation Film to raise awareness about infertility in Africa; Watch “More Than a Mother” animation film here: https://apo-opa.co/4fEBXlm. 

Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KgaA Germany and Africa Reproductive Care society (ARCS) together conducted the Third Edition of “World Infertility Awareness Summit (WIAS) 2024”. The Summit was co-chaired by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of “More Than a Mother” Campaign and also Chairperson of Africa Reproductive Care Society (ARCS) together with Prof. Oladapo Ashiru OFR, President of Africa Reproductive Care Society (ARCS) and also The Nigerian Academy of Medicine Specialties. 

It was attended by Dr. Edem Hiadzi, Immediate past President of the Fertility Society Of Ghana (FERSOG); Prof. Justin E. MBOLOKO, Immediate Past President, Inter-African Fertility Research and Application Study Group (GIERAF) and Dr. Moustapha Thiam, Obstetrician Gynecologist IVF President, Senegal. This summit is conducted annually to mark the world fertility awareness month and raise awareness about infertility stigma, male infertility and infertility prevention in Africa and beyond.  

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej emphasized, “We marked World Fertility Awareness Month with our Merck Foundation Alumni, fertility and reproductive care experts, presidents of fertility societies and members of Africa Reproductive Care Society (ARCS) and our media partners through 3rd Merck Foundation “World Infertility Awareness Summit”.  

The summit is part of our efforts towards raising awareness about infertility. especially male infertility, and to sensitizing communities to end the stigma associated with infertility and empower infertile women&couples through access to information, education, health and change of mindset.  

I am very proud to share that we, at Merck Foundation, have provided till today more than 574 scholarships of Embryology, Fertility and Sexual&Reproductive care to young doctors from 39 different countries in Africa and Asia.” 

“Many of our Alumni are trained to be the first local experts in their countries, where they never used to have local embryologists or fertility specialists before our program, such as The Gambia, Burundi, Guinea, Chad, Niger, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Malawi, Congo and more.” Dr. Kelej added.  

During the program, Merck Foundation showcased their animation film “More Than a Mother”, adapted from their storybook, to emphasize strong family values of love and respect from a young age which will reflect on eliminating the stigma of infertility and the resulted domestic violence in the future.  

“Together with African First Ladies, and other important partners, we are making history and reshaping the landscape of fertility&Reproductive care across Africa and beyond.” She explained. 

Prof. Oladapo Ashiru OFR, President of Africa Reproductive Care Society (ARCS) said, “Infertility has a great psychological impact on the women suffering from infertility stigma due to emotional and physical distress caused to her. In some cases, women also go through physical and psychological violence and lacks the family support. Infertility is not only a medical issue but also a social issue and emotional issue. It is imperative that the community is informed and educated about the issue.” 

“Infertility can be preventive by adopting various measures like switching to a healthy lifestyle, quitting smoking, reducing stress and anxiety, and ending the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).  

I appreciate the efforts of Merck Foundation for breaking the stigma around infertility and also raising awareness through various campaigns and efforts around infertility stigma.” He emphasized. 

The objectives of the Summit were: 

To raise awareness about infertility especially male infertility. 
To highlight preventive measure in infertility in Africa and developing countries. 
To discuss the challenges and define solutions to improve access to quality and equitable Infertility, Sexual&Reproductive Care via building healthcare capacity and raising community awareness. 
Define interventions to break infertility stigma around women and couples.  

The online program was attended by over 350 participants including Merck Foundation partners and Alumni who are future Fertility Specialists, Reproductive and Sexual Care Specialists, and Embryologists, Healthcare Providers, Policy Makers, and Media Professionals from over 25 countries in Africa and beyond, and over 4500 online viewers on our social media platforms. The experts answered questions from the media.  

It was conducted under Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother”, a historic movement that defines interventions to build quality and equitable Reproductive and Fertility Care Capacity, Break Infertility Stigma and Raise Awareness about Infertility Prevention and Male Infertility. 

According to WHO data, more than 180 million couples in developing countries – that is 1 in every 4 couple, suffer from infertility. In many cultures in Africa, infertility is a huge stigma. Women are solely blamed for failing to conceive and the social stigma of childlessness, especially for women leads to isolation and stigmatization and results in discrimination and ostracism. This mostly also leads to divorce or physical or psychological violence. As a part of “More Than a Mother” Campaign, Merck Foundation has launched many initiatives to break this stigma and create a culture shift. 

Moreover, Merck Foundation has trained more than 3200 media representatives from more than 35 countries to raise community awareness and break the stigma around infertility and infertile and childless women. 

Merck Foundation’s pan African TV program “Our Africa”, that is conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and features African Fashion Designers, Singers, and prominent experts from various domains with the aim to raise awareness and create a culture shift across Africa, has many episodes dedicated to raise awareness about infertility and breaking infertility stigma. 

Watch the episodes here:  

Episode 3: https://apo-opa.co/46EcfJu

Episode 5:  https://apo-opa.co/4fAuXWD

Episode 10: https://apo-opa.co/4fEZR08

Merck Foundation has also released about 30 songs, many of these songs have been created with the aim to break the infertility stigma, as a part of their “More Than a Mother” campaign.  

Listen to all “More than a Mother” songs here: https://apo-opa.co/4dd6CEH

To address this important issue of breaking infertility stigma and also a wide range of other social issues, Merck Foundation annually launches their ‘More Than a Mother’ Awards in partnership with African First Ladies, for Media, Fashion, Film making, and Musicians, students, and potential talents in these fields, to create a culture shift and break the silence about one or more of the following topics: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels. Entries can be submitted on submit@merck-foundation.com. 

Merck Foundation also conducts MARS Awards to empower African young researchers&women researchers, advancing their research capacity and promote their contribution to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).  

Details of Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards 2024: 
Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit – MARS 2024 will have scientific support from African Union Scientific-Technical and Research Commission (AU-STRC); African Reproductive Care Society (ARCS) and Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE). 

Theme: The Role of Scientific Research in Women Health and Reproductive Care 

Who can apply:  

Abstracts are invited from final year PhD students, young investigators involved in research and Medical Doctors in Postgraduate Medical Fellowship program related to either of the following topics:  

1) Women Health 
2) Infertility and Reproductive Health  

How to apply: Applications and abstracts can be submitted by clicking on: https://apo-opa.co/4deJYeV

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.

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

Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard! 
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4dBFe2R
Twitter: https://apo-opa.co/3M0SRwI
YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/3AgTkbP
Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/3WXTehO
Flickr: https://apo-opa.co/3AgU0hn
Website: https://apo-opa.co/4dyLxUN

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.MerckFoundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4dBFe2R), Twitter (https://apo-opa.co/3M0SRwI), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/3WXTehO), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/3AgTkbP) and Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/3AgU0hn).