The 11th Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary Conference is being held in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, from October 29-30, 2024, under the theme, "Together We Make a Difference."

This annual event provides a platform for African and Asian First Ladies, ambassadors of the ‘Merck More Than A Mother’ campaign, to collaborate, share insights, and showcase achievements in healthcare, girls' education, and women’s empowerment in their respective countries.

Attending the conference was Tanzania’s President, H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, along with 15 First Ladies from Africa and Asia, including Rebecca Akufo-Addo, First Lady of Ghana; Monica Chakwera of Malawi; Kartumu Yarta Boakai of Liberia; Rachel Rutu of Kenya; and Fatoumata Bah-Barrow of The Gambia, as well as First Ladies from Maldives, Mozambique, Zanzibar, Zimbabwe, Burundi, the Central African Republic, Gabon, Cape Verde, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and São Tomé and Principe.

Over 400 delegates, comprising health professionals, media, and government officials from 70 countries, were also present.

In her welcome address, Merck Foundation CEO Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej highlighted the Foundation’s achievements in tackling infertility, combating cancer, supporting girls’ education, and more.

She noted that doctors from 52 countries across Africa and Asia have been trained in specialties such as oncology, fertility, urology, cardiology, and other disciplines, all made possible through Merck Foundation’s partnerships with the First Ladies.

Dr. Kelej also expressed her gratitude to the First Ladies, urging them to continue initiatives supporting girls’ education, fighting gender-based violence, and combating infertility stigma.

Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation, reiterated the Foundation's commitment to transforming healthcare and enhancing lives.

This commitment drives the Foundation’s scholarship programs, aimed at equipping healthcare practitioners with the skills to address health issues in their home countries.

He encouraged the attendees to leverage their training, noting that they are foundational to their countries’ healthcare systems.

Prof. Stangenberg-Haverkamp emphasized that educating girls is essential to a country's economic development and urged the First Ladies to continue championing this cause.

Ghana’s First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, shared some of her achievements through her partnership with Merck Foundation.

These include building healthcare capacity among doctors and journalists, addressing infertility stigma, and promoting knowledge-sharing.

Through this partnership, 189 scholarships have been awarded to Ghanaian doctors in various disciplines, enhancing healthcare access in underserved communities.

Mrs. Akufo-Addo highlighted the progress in breaking infertility stigma in Ghana and promoting openness in seeking help.

She also mentioned that storybooks distributed to schoolchildren are helping them develop critical thinking skills and become responsible citizens.

First Lady Akufo-Addo reaffirmed her commitment to advocating for girls’ education, emphasising, “Investing in girls’ education transforms communities, countries, and the world at large.”