Mumbai, Maharashtra, India & Accra, Ghana– Business Wire India • “Because I want to Be” TV program was launched by the Office of First Lady of Ghana and Merck Foundation at the same time • Merck Foundation “No More Diabetes” song and New Children Storybook, “Sugar Free Jude” launched by Merck Foundation • Merck Foundation met their Alumni from Accra, Ghana to network and discuss their scholarship issues • During the launch, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej also felicitated the winners of Merck Foundation ‘More Than A Mother’ and ‘Mask Up With Care’ Media Awards 2021 and ‘More Than A Mother’ Fashion Awards 2020 & 2021 CEO of Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany launched “Our Africa” TV Program during an exclusive premiere in Ghana. “Because I Want to Be” TV Program by The Office of the First Lady of Ghana was also launched during the same premier. ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’ is a pan African TV program that is conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation to feature African Fashion Designers, Singers, and prominent experts from various domains with the aim to raise awareness and create a culture shift about wide range of social and health issues across Africa. The show is co-hosted by Brian Mulondo from Uganda. The TV program is being broadcasted on GH One TV Ghana, LNTV Liberia & AYV Sierra Leone and posted on all social media channels of Merck Foundation and TV channels. “Our Africa by Merck Foundation” was also broadcasted on KTN Kenya and NTV Uganda. “I am very happy to be here in Ghana and launch “Our Africa by Merck Foundation”, a first-of-its-kind TV program that is set to be the voice of the voiceless and break the silence about many critical and sensitive social and health issues in Africa like Breaking Infertility Stigma, Importance of early detection & prevention of Diabetes, Supporting Girl Education, Ending Child Marriage, Stopping Gender-Based Violence, promoting a Healthy Lifestyle, Ending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Coronavirus Health Awareness, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Sustainability, and many more.” “I have always believed that Fashion and Art are powerful tools to address and raise awareness on pressing and sensitive social and health issues in our beloved Africa and beyond. Fashion and Art have a purpose beyond just entertainment and looking good and we must make the most out of these platforms to advocate for the causes we work towards every day. Hence, I came up with the idea of this informative yet entertaining show. The TV program is doing extremely well and is receiving a lot of love from its audience and also our social media followers,” added Dr. Kelej. The show is broadcasting on the following TV channels: - Every Sunday @ 2 pm on (GMT) GH One TV, Ghana; re-runs on Monday @ 1:30 pm (GMT) - Every Saturday @ 6 pm (GMT) on LNTV, Liberia; re-run on Sunday @ 4:30 pm (GMT) - Every Wednesday @ 4.30 pm (GMT) on AYV, Sierra Leone “Because I want to Be” TV Program was also launched by the Office of the First Lady of Ghana in partnership with Merck Foundation, as part of the "Educating Linda" program. This program helps young girls who are unprivileged but brilliant to continue their education. During the ceremony, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation also launched a Song - “No More Diabetes” sung by Cwesi, a popular singer from Ghana; and also a Children’s Storybook – “Sugar Free Jude”. “I am very excited to present to you Merck Foundation’s new song – No More Diabetes and a brand new children’s storybook – Sugar Free Jude, both have been launched with the aim to promote a healthy lifestyle and raising awareness on the early detection and prevention of Diabetes. I hope everyone likes this song and enjoys reading this new Storybook,” said Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej. Listen to the song here: https://youtu.be/YC6VpDVoE-k Read Sugar Free Jude storybook here: https://merck-foundation.com/merckfoundation/public/uploads/digital_library/1656412954_b2be045662b6b261026a.pdf Merck Foundation in partnership with the First Lady of Ghana has provided scholarships to more than 100 young doctors from Ghana in critical and underserved specialties such as - Oncology, Diabetes, Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine, Endocrinology, Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Acute Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Human Assisted Reproduction and Embryology & Fertility specialty and much more. Moreover, during the ceremony, Merck Foundation CEO also felicitated the winners of Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition “More Than a Mother” 2021 and Merck Foundation Fashion Awards “More Than a Mother” 2021 & 2020 from Ghana. She also announced the Call for Applications for 2022 awards in partnership with Ghana First Lady, announced the Call for applications for their 8 important awards for Ghanian Media, Musicians, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, students, and new potential talents in these fields. Winners from Ghana in partnership with The First Lady of Ghana, H.E. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO & Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” are: MERCK FOUNDATION MEDIA RECOGNITION AWARDS “MORE THAN A MOTHER” 2021 PRINT CATEGORY WINNERS: FIRST Position: • Dzifa Tetteh Tay, The Spectator, GHANA SECOND Position: • Jonathan Donkor, Ghanaian Times, GHANA • Efia Akese, The Mirror, GHANA THIRD Position: • Yaw Asirifi-Twum, Freelance Journalist, GHANA ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS: FIRST Position: • Zadok Kwame Gyes, Daily Graphic / Graphic Online, GHANA SECOND Position: • Neta Kris Abiana Parsram And Emmanuel Kwasi Debrah, Multimedia Group Limited, GHANA • Benedicta Gyimaah Folley, Ghanaian Times, GHANA THIRD Position: • Agnes Opoku Sarong, New Times Corporation, GHANA RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS: FIRST Position: • Nyadror Adanuti Nelson, Diamond FM, Tamale (Northern Region), GHANA MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS: SECOND Position: • Akua Oforiwa Darko, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, GHANA THIRD Position: • Beatrice Senadju, Ghana Broadasting Corporation, GHANA MERCK FOUNDATION “MASK UP WITH CARE” MEDIA RECOGNITION AWARDS 2021 PRINT CATEGORY WINNERS: FIRST Position: • Dzifa Tetteh Tay, The Spectator, GHANA SECOND Position: • Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyema, New Times Corporation (Ghanaian Times/The Spectator), GHANA • Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah, The Spectator Newspaper, GHANA THIRD Position: • Efia Akese, The Mirror, GHANA • Benedicta Gyimaah Folley, Ghanian Times, GHANA ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS: FIRST Position: • Prosper Kwame Kuorsoh, Ghana New Agency, GHANA SECOND Position: • Prince Kwame Tamakloe, Rainbow Radio Int and Zami Report, GHANA THIRD Position: • Mavis Offei Acheampong, GHANA BROADCASTING CORPORATION (GBC), GHANA RADIO CATEGORY FIRST Position: • Mavis Offei Acheampong, GHANA BROADCASTING CORPORATION (GBC), GHANA MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS: FIRST Position: • WENDY LARYEA, TV3 Network Ltd., GHANA SECOND Position: • Clara Mlano, Ghana Broadasting Corporation, GHANA THIRD Position: • Beatrice Spio-Garbrah, TV3, GHANA MERCK FOUNDATION FASHION AWARDS “MORE THAN A MOTHER” 2021 1. Solace Akos Sakah 2. Linda Mensah 3. Destinee Mouanda Biyeri 4. Pwatani Theresa 5. David Kwabena Appaih 6. Catherine Natang MERCK FOUNDATION FASHION AWARDS “MORE THAN A MOTHER” 2020 1. Leticia Ashie Owusu 2. Gifty Amonu Essel 3. Kizito Ronald Jr 4. Placid Leke 5. Anuja Bharti 6. Paul Akrofie 7. Desmond Nhyira Amankonah Details of the Awards: 1. Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition Awards “More Than a Mother” 2022 Click here to view more details. 2. Merck Foundation Film Awards “More Than a Mother” 2022 Click here to view more details. 3. Merck Foundation Fashion Awards “More Than a Mother” 2022 Click here to view more details. 4. Merck Foundation Song Awards “More Than a Mother” 2022 Click here to view more details. 5. Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards 2022 “Diabetes & Hypertension” Click here to view more details. 6. Merck Foundation Film Awards 2022 “Diabetes & Hypertension” Submission deadline: 30th October 2022. Click here to view more details. 7. Merck Foundation Fashion Awards 2022 “Diabetes & Hypertension” Submission deadline: 30th October 2022. Click here to view more details. 8. Merck Foundation Song Awards 2022 “Diabetes & Hypertension” Submission deadline: 30th October 2022. Click here to view more details. “I invite entries from all African talents on submit@merck-foundation.com”, concluded Senator Kelej. About ‘Merck Foundation More Than a Mother’ campaign “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” is a strong movement that aims to empower infertile women through access to information, education and change of mind-sets. This powerful campaign supports in defining policies and interventions to build quality and equitable Reproductive and Fertility Care Capacity, Break Infertility Stigma and Raise Awareness about Infertility Prevention and Male Infertility. In partnership with African First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Information, Education & Gender, academia, policymakers, International fertility societies, media and art, the initiative also provides training for Fertility Specialists and Embryologists to build and advance fertility care capacity in Africa and developing countries. With “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”, we have initiated a cultural shift to de-stigmatize infertility at all levels: By improving awareness, training local experts in the fields of fertility care and media, building advocacy in cooperation with African First Ladies and women leaders and by supporting childless women in starting their own small businesses. It’s all about giving every woman the respect and the help she deserves to live a fulfilling life, with or without a child. The Ambassadors of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” are: H.E. NEO JANE MASISI, The First Lady of Botswana H.E. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO, The First Lady of Ghana H.E FATIMA MAADA BIO, The First Lady of Sierra Leone H.E. ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE, The First Lady of Burundi H.E. CLAR WEAH, The First Lady of Liberia H.E. MUTINTA HICHILEMA, The First Lady of Zambia H.E. BRIGITTE TOUADERA, The First Lady of Central African Republic H.E. MONICA CHAKWERA, The First Lady of Malawi H.E. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA, The First Lady of Zimbabwe H.E. ANTOINETTE SASSOU-NGUESSO, The First Lady of Congo Brazzaville H.E. ISAURA FERRÃO NYUSI, The First Lady of Mozambique H.E. DENISE NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI, THE First Lady of Democratic Republic of Congo H.E. MONICA GEINGOS, The First Lady of Namibia H.E. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of The Gambia H.E. AISHA BUHARI, The First Lady of Nigeria The Former First Lady of Burundi, H.E DENISE NKURUNZIZA, The Former First Lady of Chad, H.E. HINDA DÉBY ITNO, The Former First Lady of Guinea Conakry, H.E. CONDÉ DJENE, The Former First Lady of Malawi, H.E. PROFESSOR GERTRUDE MUTHARIKA, The Former First Lady of Niger, H.E AÏSSATA ISSOUFOU MAHAMADOU and The Former First Lady of Zambia, H.E. ESTHER LUNGU have worked successfully with Merck Foundation as Merck Foundation More Than a Mother Ambassadors to break the stigma of infertility and empower infertile women in their countries. Merck Foundation launched new innovative initiatives to sensitize local communities about infertility prevention, male infertility with the aim to break the stigma of infertility and empowering infertile women as part of Merck Foundation More than a Mother COMMUNITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN, such as; • ‘Merck Foundation More than a Mother’ Africa Media Recognition Awards and Health Media Training • ‘Merck Foundation More than a Mother’ Fashion Awards • ‘Merck Foundation More than a Mother’ Film Awards • ‘Merck Foundation More than a Mother’ Song Awards • Local songs with local artists to address the cultural perception of infertility and how to change it • Children storybook, localized for each country Click on the link below to download Merck Foundation App https://www.merck-foundation.com/MF_StoreRedirection Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard Facebook: Merck Foundation Twitter: @Merckfoundation YouTube: MerckFoundation Instagram: Merck Foundation Flickr: Merck Foundation Website: www.merck-foundation.com 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. To know more, reach out to our social media: Merck Foundation; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Flickr. To View the Image, Click on the Link Below: Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation with the Winning designs of Merck Foundation Fashion Awards of More Than a Mother (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Business Wire India and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR