Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on declaring the First Lady of Ghana as the Ambassador of “More Than a Mother” during their Annual Summit in Ghana

Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO with Ghana First Lady and their Alumni.

I am delighted to meet our long-term partner and my dear sister, H.E. Mrs. LORDINA DRAMANI MAHAMA, First Lady of the Republic of Ghana, and to honor her outstanding contribution as the Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” during the Merck Foundation Ghana Alumni Summit 2026. We also formally launched the Merck Foundation programs in the country and underscored our commitment towards building healthcare and media capacity, patient care landscape transformation, breaking infertility stigma and supporting girl education, together in the country.

Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO with Ghana First Lady.

I am proud to share that we have provided 257 scholarships for local Ghanaian healthcare providers in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties, with the aim to establish a strong platform of skilled and specialized healthcare providers across Ghana’s healthcare sector nationwide.

Moreover, through our Educating Linda Program, we are also providing annual scholarships for our 40 high-performing yet underprivileged Ghanaian schoolgirls, to help them complete their education. Educating and empowering young girls is one of the most powerful investments we can make towards building stronger families, thriving communities, and a brighter future for our nation.

Overall, we have provided more than 2,600 scholarships for healthcare providers in 44 critical and underserved specialties from over 52 countries. During the Summit, Merck Foundation alumni shared their inspiring testimonies on how these scholarships have transformed their professional journeys and improved patient care in their communities.

The summit was also attended by the beneficiaries of Educating Linda Program, where the young girls shared powerful testimonies about how these scholarships have positively transformed their lives. Listening to their journeys and learning about the impact these scholarships have had on their education, confidence, and future aspirations was truly inspiring and deeply moving. Read more about the “Educating Linda” Program in Ghana here.