{"id":9167,"date":"2026-04-15T12:37:02","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T08:37:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=9167"},"modified":"2026-04-15T12:50:50","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T08:50:50","slug":"message-from-ceo-of-merck-foundation-senator-rasha-kelej-on-announcing-83-winners-of-more-than-a-mother-and-diabetes-and-hypertension-media-awards-2023-in-partn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=9167","title":{"rendered":"Message from CEO of Merck Foundation, Senator, Rasha Kelej, on announcing 83 Winners of \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d and \u201cDiabetes and Hypertension\u201d Media Awards 2023, in partnership with the First Ladies of Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"666\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Main-_-Senator-Dr-Rasha-kelej-acknowledged-the-Winners-of-Merck-Foundation-Awards1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9168\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Main-_-Senator-Dr-Rasha-kelej-acknowledged-the-Winners-of-Merck-Foundation-Awards1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Main-_-Senator-Dr-Rasha-kelej-acknowledged-the-Winners-of-Merck-Foundation-Awards1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Main-_-Senator-Dr-Rasha-kelej-acknowledged-the-Winners-of-Merck-Foundation-Awards1-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Main-_-Senator-Dr-Rasha-kelej-acknowledged-the-Winners-of-Merck-Foundation-Awards1-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure><p>I am proud to announce the winners of\u00a0<strong>Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition Awards 2023\u00a0\u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d and \u201cDiabetes and Hypertension\u201d.\u00a0<\/strong>We have\u00a0<strong>83 winners from 22 African countries in partnership with my dear sisters First Ladies of Africa and Ambassadors of \u201cMerck Foundation More than a Mother\u201d.\u00a0<\/strong>The theme of \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d Awards was to raise awareness on any of the following social issues such as:\u00a0<strong>Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and\/or Stopping GBV at all levels<\/strong>\u00a0and the theme of \u201cDiabetes and Hypertension\u201d Awards was to\u00a0<strong>Promote a Healthy Lifestyle and raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension in the African countries.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"666\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-during-their-Annual-Summit-in-Kenya-11.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9169\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-during-their-Annual-Summit-in-Kenya-11.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-during-their-Annual-Summit-in-Kenya-11-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-during-their-Annual-Summit-in-Kenya-11-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-during-their-Annual-Summit-in-Kenya-11-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure><p>We started our Media Awards in 2017, and year after year we are witnessing a substantial increase in the number of outstanding and regular\u00a0entries from many African countries, which is very encouraging for us.\u00a0 Also, we recently met and awarded the winners from Kenya, during my visit to the\u00a0<strong>Nairobi for Merck Foundation Kenya Alumni Summit and Award Ceremony.\u00a0<\/strong>Moreover, we will soon be meeting the Winners of\u00a0<strong>Ghana, Botswana and Tanzania<\/strong>, during our upcoming visits.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"425\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-during-their-Annual-Summit-in-Kenya-21.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9170\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-during-their-Annual-Summit-in-Kenya-21.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-during-their-Annual-Summit-in-Kenya-21-300x128.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-during-their-Annual-Summit-in-Kenya-21-768x326.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-during-their-Annual-Summit-in-Kenya-21-600x255.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure><p><strong>Merck Foundation&nbsp;&#8220;More Than a Mother&#8221;&nbsp;Media Recognition Awards 2023<\/strong><\/p><p>Here are the winners from&nbsp;<strong><u>West African<\/u><\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>Countries<\/strong>&nbsp;in partnership with&nbsp;<strong>The First Lady of The Gambia,&nbsp;<\/strong><strong>H.E. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW<\/strong><strong>; and The First Lady of Ghana and&nbsp;H.E. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO:<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>PRINT CATEGORY WINNER<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Raissa Sambou, The Spectator, Ghana (First Position)<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><p><strong>ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Emelia Naa Ayeley Aryee,<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>Myjoyonline, Ghana\u00a0<\/strong><strong>(First Position)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Mariam Hamzat, Freelancer, Nigeria (Second Position)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Mariama, Dem Star.gm, The Gambia (Second Position)<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><p><strong>RADIO CATEGORY WINNER<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Evelyn Kpadeh Seagbeh, New Narratives, Liberia\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>First Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Mavis Offei Acheampong, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Ghana\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Second Position<\/strong>)<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Emmanuel Samani, TV3, Ghana\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>First Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Stanley Nii Blewu,\u00a0TV3, Ghana<\/strong>\u00a0(<strong>Second Position<\/strong>)<\/li><\/ul><p>Here are the Winners from&nbsp;<strong><u>Southern African<\/u><\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>Countries<\/strong>&nbsp;in partnership with&nbsp;<strong>The First Lady of<\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>Malawi,&nbsp;<\/strong><strong>H.E. MONICA CHAKWERA;&nbsp;<\/strong><strong>The First Lady of Zambia,&nbsp;<\/strong><strong>H.E. MUTINTA HICHILEMA;<\/strong><strong>&nbsp;The First Lady of Zimbabwe,&nbsp;H.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA:<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>PRINT CATEGORY WINNERS<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Melody Mupeta, Zambia Daily, Zambia\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>First Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Moses Mugugunyeki, The Standard, Zimbabwe,\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Second Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Gresham Ngwira, Freelancer, Malawi\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Second Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Sonja Smith, The Namibian, Namibia\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0(<strong>Third Position<\/strong>)<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Michael Magoronga, Zimpapers, Zimbabwe\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>First Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Munyaradzi Blessing Doma, ZimNow, Zimbabwe\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Second Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Caroline Mapando, Africabrief, Malawi\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Third Position<\/strong>)<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Charlotte Nambadja, Desert Radio, Namibia\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>First Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Britta Mpata Blantyre, Synod Radio, Malawi\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>First Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Sera Tamina, Radio Icengelo, Zambia\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Second Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Monde Chaba, Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation, Zambia\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Third Position<\/strong>)<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Mirriam Kayemba, CAMNET TV,\u00a0 Zambia\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>First Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Alepher Kasongo, MBC News, Malawi\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Second Position<\/strong>)<\/li><\/ul><p>Here are the winners from&nbsp;<strong><u>East African<\/u><\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>Countries<\/strong><strong>:<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>PRINT CATEGORY WINNERS<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Marco Maduhu, Nipashe Newspaper, Tanzania\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>First Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Elizabeth Angira, MT Kenya Times and People Daily, Kenya\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>First Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Shaban Njia, Nipashe Newspaper, Tanzania\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Second Position<\/strong>)<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Moraa Obiria, Nation Media Group, Kenya\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>First Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Isabella Maua Chemosit, The Times, Kenya\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Second Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Aveline Kitomary, Tanzania Standard,\u00a0 Tanzania\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Third Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Sophia Rukwaro, Black Hustlers TV, Kenya\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Third Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Hudson Kuteesa, The New Times, Rwanda\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Third Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Beatrice Philemon Mukocho, The Guardian Newspaper, Tanzania\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Third Position<\/strong>)<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Caren Waraba Sisya, Citizen Radio, Kenya\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>First Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Olga Fadhil Lungala, Moshifm Radio, Tanzania\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Second Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Adam Hhando, CG FM, Tanzania\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Second Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Namale Hajara Shahista, CBS FM, Uganda\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Third Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Angela Kezengwa, Citizen Radio, Kenya\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Third Position<\/strong>)<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNER<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Walter Mwesigye, NTV Uganda, Uganda\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>First Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Elizabeth Atieno Ochieng, TV 47 KENYA, Kenya\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Second Position<\/strong>)<\/li><\/ul><p>Here are the winners from&nbsp;<strong><u>French Speaking African Countries<\/u><\/strong>&nbsp;in partnership with&nbsp;<strong>The First Lady of Burundi,&nbsp;<\/strong><strong>H.E. ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE;&nbsp;<\/strong><strong>The First Lady of Democratic Republic of the Congo,&nbsp;H.E. DENISE NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI:<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>PRINT CATEGORY WINNER<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Koami Agbetiafa, Societe, Niger\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>First Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Ast\u00e8re NDUWAMUNGU, www.lerenouveau.bi, Burundi\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Second Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Traore Brehima, The TOGUNA, Mali\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Third Position<\/strong>)<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>M\u00eam\u00e8d\u00e9\u00a0Ambroisine Azododassi, Savoir News, Togo\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>First Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Jessy NZENGU, lualabamaprovince.com, DRC\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>First Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>AYIBE Ablavi Ay\u00e9lo, SAVOIR NEWS, Togo\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Second Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Tognisse Pugilbert Yannick, DecryptageBenin.com, Benin\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Third Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Haburanimana G\u00e9rard, Agaseke.bi, Burundi\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Third Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>JEANINE NYABENDA, Ijisho Web Site News TV, Burundi\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Third Position<\/strong>)<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Cyriaque NDAYISHIMIYE, Radio TV BUNTU, Burundi\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>First Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Edmond Niyonkur, Radio Ubuzima-FM, Burundi\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Second Position<\/strong>)<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Bahwa Ferdinand, Le Journal.Africa, Burundi\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>First Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Amadou BELLO, Balafon Direct, Cameroon\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Second Position<\/strong>)<\/li><\/ul><p>Here are the winners from&nbsp;<strong><u>Portuguese Speaking African<\/u><\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>Countries<\/strong>&nbsp;in partnership with&nbsp;<strong>The First Lady of Cabo Verde,&nbsp;<\/strong><strong>H.E. Dr. D\u00c9BORA KATISA CARVALHO:<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>\u00c2ngelo Amaro Semedo, DW \u00c1frica, Cabo Verde\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>First Position<\/strong>)<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Maria Jos\u00e9 Teixeira Veiga Macedo, R\u00e1dio de Cabo Verde, Cabo Verde\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>First Position<\/strong>)<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Edineia Barros, TV Cabo Verde, Cabo Verde\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>First Position<\/strong>)<\/li><\/ul><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"783\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Awards-Ceremony-2023-DH-Layout-02-1-1024x783.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9171\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Awards-Ceremony-2023-DH-Layout-02-1-1024x783.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Awards-Ceremony-2023-DH-Layout-02-1-300x229.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Awards-Ceremony-2023-DH-Layout-02-1-768x587.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Awards-Ceremony-2023-DH-Layout-02-1-1536x1174.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Awards-Ceremony-2023-DH-Layout-02-1-600x459.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Awards-Ceremony-2023-DH-Layout-02-1.jpg 1570w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p><strong>Merck Foundation&nbsp;&#8220;Diabetes &amp; Hypertension&#8221;&nbsp;Media Recognition Awards 2023<\/strong><\/p><p>Here are the winners from&nbsp;<strong><u>West African<\/u><\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>Countries<\/strong>&nbsp;in partnership with&nbsp;<strong>The First Lady of Ghana,&nbsp;<\/strong><strong>H.E. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO:<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>PRINT CATEGORY WINNER<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Jennifer Ambolley, Chronicle, Ghana\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>First Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Godwin Awuni Anafo, Daily Graphic, Ghana<\/strong>\u00a0(<strong>Second Position<\/strong>)<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Odimegwu Onwumere, thenigerianvoice.com, Nigeria\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>First Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Muniratu Akweley Issah, Ghana News Agency, Ghana\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Second Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Cecilia Lagba Yada, Ghanaian Times, Ghana\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Third Position<\/strong>)<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNER<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Grace Hammoah Agyemang, TV3,\u00a0Ghana<\/strong>\u00a0(<strong>First Position<\/strong>)<\/li><\/ul><p>Here are the Winners from&nbsp;<strong><u>Southern African<\/u><\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>Countries<\/strong>&nbsp;in partnership with&nbsp;<strong>The First Lady of<\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>Malawi,&nbsp;<\/strong><strong>H.E. MONICA CHAKWERA;&nbsp;<\/strong><strong>The First Lady of Zambia,&nbsp;<\/strong><strong>H.E. MUTINTA HICHILEMA;<\/strong><strong>&nbsp;The First Lady of Zimbabwe,&nbsp;H.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA:<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>PRINT CATEGORY WINNER<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Ed-Grant Ndoza, Malawi News Agency, Malawi\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>First Position<\/strong>)<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Maria Kandjungu, Unwrap, Namibia\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>First Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Alain Kabinda, Daily News Agency, Zambia\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Second Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Rosalia Hipondoka, DBS Blogposts, Namibia\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Third Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Phillipa Mwazvita Chinhoi, Herald.co, Zimbabwe<\/strong>\u00a0(<strong>Third Position<\/strong>)<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Henry Haukeya, MBC Radio, Malawi<\/strong>\u00a0(<strong>First Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Sylviah Chisi, Trans World Radio Malawi (TWR), Malawi\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Second Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Martha Mzumara, Trans World Radio Malawi (TWR), Malawi\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Third Position<\/strong>)<\/li><\/ul><p>Here are the winners from&nbsp;<strong><u>East African<\/u><\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>Countries<\/strong><strong>:<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>PRINT CATEGORY WINNER<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Christina Stephen Mwakangale, Nipashe, Tanzania<\/strong>(<strong>First Position<\/strong>)<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Lucy John Bosco, Mwananchi Online, Tanzania\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>First Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Dorcas Wangira, BBC, Kenya\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Second Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Veronica Romwald Mrema, Freelancer, Tanzania\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Third Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Tulinagwe Alison Malopa, Gazetini, Tanzania\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Third Position<\/strong>)<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Mildrine Nafula Sabwami, North Rift Radio FM, Kenya\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>First Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Mwanaisha Mohamed Makumbuli, Highlands FM Radio, Tanzania\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Second Position<\/strong>)<\/li><\/ul><p>Here are the winners from&nbsp;<strong><u>French Speaking African Countries<\/u><\/strong>&nbsp;in partnership with&nbsp;<strong>The First Lady of Burundi,&nbsp;<\/strong><strong>H.E. ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE; and&nbsp;<\/strong><strong>The First Lady of Democratic Republic of the Congo,&nbsp;H.E. DENISE NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI:<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>PRINT CATEGORY WINNERS<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Mo\u00efse NKURUNZIZA, Le Renouveau du Burundi, Burundi\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>First Position<\/strong>)<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Cassien Tribunal Aungane, Diplomacy &amp; Development, DRC\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>First Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Akossiwa Agossivi\u00a0YIBOKOU-MENSAH, SAVOIR NEWS, TOGO\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Second Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Alphonse Julio GADA, GLOBAL NEWS B\u00c9NIN, Benin\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Third Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Petga Tonga Valgadine, lavoixdukoat.com, Cameroon\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Third Position<\/strong>)<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Honorine NININAHAZWE, Burundi\u00a0National Radio, Burundi\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0(<strong>First Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>Maurice TUNINAHAZIMANA, Radio TV Buntu, Burundi\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Second Position<\/strong>)<\/li>\n\n<li><strong>R\u00e9my RUKUNDO, TV BUNTU, Burundi\u00a0<\/strong>(<strong>Third Position<\/strong>)<\/li><\/ul><p>Here is the winner from&nbsp;<strong><u>Portuguese Speaking African Country&nbsp;<\/u><\/strong>in partnership with&nbsp;<strong>The First Lady of Mozambique,&nbsp;<\/strong><strong>H.E. ISAURA FERR\u00c3O NYUSI:<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>RADIO CATEGORY WINNER<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Abdul Ibraimo,\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Radio of Mozambique, Mozambique<\/strong>\u00a0(<strong>First Position<\/strong>)<\/li><\/ul><p>Once again congratulations to all our winners.&nbsp;All our winners are the Champions of critical and sensitive social and health issues in their communities.&nbsp;It&#8217;s truly inspiring to witness how we&#8217;re actively involving and engaging everyone, enabling them to be the voice of the voiceless and create a culture shift. I&#8217;m delighted to extend a warm welcome as you join the Merck Foundation Alumni. Let&#8217;s keep raising awareness on social and health together. Merck Foundation is additionally rewarding the winners by providing them with one-year access of an online educational training program called&nbsp;<strong>\u2018MasterClass\u2019.&nbsp;<\/strong>The MasterClass is an immersive online experience and self-paced learning course that can be accessed anywhere with the internet.<\/p><p>I would also like to announce the Call for Applications for the&nbsp;<strong>Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition Award<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>2024 \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d and \u201cDiabetes and Hypertension\u201d.<\/strong>&nbsp;These awards are in partnership with my dear sisters, the African First Ladies who are also the Ambassadors of \u201cMerck Foundation More Than a Mother.<\/p><p><strong><u>Details of Merck Foundation Media Awards 2024:<\/u><\/strong><\/p><p><strong>1.&nbsp;Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d Awards 2024<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>Theme for the awards:<\/strong>&nbsp;Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and\/or Stopping GBV at all levels.<\/p><p><strong>Who can apply:<\/strong>&nbsp;Journalists from Print, Radio, Online, and Multimedia platforms from the following groups:<\/p><ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Southern African Countries<\/li>\n\n<li>West African Countries<\/li>\n\n<li>East African Countries<\/li>\n\n<li>French Speaking African Countries<\/li>\n\n<li>Portuguese Speaking African Countries<\/li><\/ol><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Submission deadline:&nbsp;30th September 2024.<\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"724\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MF-MTM-Media-Awards-2024-_-General-English6-724x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9172\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MF-MTM-Media-Awards-2024-_-General-English6-724x1024.jpg 724w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MF-MTM-Media-Awards-2024-_-General-English6-212x300.jpg 212w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MF-MTM-Media-Awards-2024-_-General-English6-768x1086.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MF-MTM-Media-Awards-2024-_-General-English6-600x848.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MF-MTM-Media-Awards-2024-_-General-English6.jpg 849w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 724px) 100vw, 724px\" \/><\/figure><p><strong>2. Merck Foundation Media Recognition \u201cDiabetes &amp; Hypertension\u201d Awards 2024<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>Theme for the awards:<\/strong>&nbsp;Promoting a healthy lifestyle and raising awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.<\/p><p><strong>Who can apply:<\/strong>&nbsp;Journalists from Print, Radio, Online, and Multimedia platforms from the following groups:<\/p><ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Southern African Countries<\/li>\n\n<li>West African Countries<\/li>\n\n<li>East African Countries<\/li>\n\n<li>French Speaking African Countries<\/li>\n\n<li>Portuguese Speaking African Countries<\/li>\n\n<li>Latin American Countries<\/li>\n\n<li>Asian Countries<\/li><\/ol><p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Submission deadline:&nbsp;30th October 2024.<\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"724\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DH-Media-20241-724x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9173\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DH-Media-20241-724x1024.jpg 724w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DH-Media-20241-212x300.jpg 212w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DH-Media-20241-768x1086.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DH-Media-20241-600x848.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DH-Media-20241.jpg 849w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 724px) 100vw, 724px\" \/><\/figure><p><strong>All entries are to be submitted to&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"mailto:submit@merck-foundation.com\"><strong>submit@merck-foundation.com<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>Kindly note, sending multiple relevant entries for both the categories will increase the chances of winning the award.<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>Kind Regards,<br>Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej,<br>CEO of Merck Foundation<br>President of \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d campaign<\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"733\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Awards-Ceremony-2023-MTM-Layout-011-1024x733.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9174\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Awards-Ceremony-2023-MTM-Layout-011-1024x733.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Awards-Ceremony-2023-MTM-Layout-011-300x215.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Awards-Ceremony-2023-MTM-Layout-011-768x550.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Awards-Ceremony-2023-MTM-Layout-011-1536x1099.jpg 1536w, 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1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Awards-Ceremony-2023-DH-Layout-02-1-1-600x459.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Awards-Ceremony-2023-DH-Layout-02-1-1.jpg 1570w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"783\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Awards-Ceremony-2023-DH-Layout-04-1024x783.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9180\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Awards-Ceremony-2023-DH-Layout-04-1024x783.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Awards-Ceremony-2023-DH-Layout-04-300x229.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Awards-Ceremony-2023-DH-Layout-04-768x587.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Awards-Ceremony-2023-DH-Layout-04-1536x1174.jpg 1536w, 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https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Awards-Ceremony-2023-DH-Layout-01-600x459.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Awards-Ceremony-2023-DH-Layout-01.jpg 1569w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"783\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Awards-Ceremony-2023-DH-Layout-03-1024x783.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9182\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Awards-Ceremony-2023-DH-Layout-03-1024x783.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Awards-Ceremony-2023-DH-Layout-03-300x229.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Awards-Ceremony-2023-DH-Layout-03-768x587.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Awards-Ceremony-2023-DH-Layout-03-1536x1175.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Awards-Ceremony-2023-DH-Layout-03-600x459.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Awards-Ceremony-2023-DH-Layout-03.jpg 1569w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I am proud to announce the winners of\u00a0Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition Awards 2023\u00a0\u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d and \u201cDiabetes and Hypertension\u201d.\u00a0We have\u00a083 winners from 22 African countries in partnership with my dear sisters First Ladies of Africa and Ambassadors of \u201cMerck Foundation More than a Mother\u201d.\u00a0The theme of \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d Awards was to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9168,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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