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Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, held the 13th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2026 on June 18 and 19 through an online videoconference.

The annual conference was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, and Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and Chairperson of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary, along with the First Ladies of 12 African and Asian countries, who joined as Guests of Honour and Keynote Speakers.

First Ladies in attendance were Dr. Ana Dias Lourenço of Angola, Kaone Boko of Botswana, Dr. Débora Katisa Carvalho of Cabo Verde, Brigitte Touadera of the Central African Republic, Zita Oligui Nguema of the Gabonese Republic, Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow of the Republic of The Gambia, Rachel Ruto of the Republic of Kenya, Kartumu Yarta Boakai of the Republic of Liberia, Sajidha Mohamed of the Republic of Maldives, Dr. Gueta Selemane Chapo of the Republic of Mozambique, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Maria de Fatima Vila Nova of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe.

Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, President of “More Than a Mother” and Chairperson of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary, said: “It is a great privilege to welcome our distinguished Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers, the First Ladies of Africa and Asia, who are the Ambassadors of our ‘More Than a Mother’ campaign to the 13th Edition of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary.

“Together, we exchanged valuable experiences and engaged in meaningful discussions on the impact of our programs, which are aimed at transforming patient care and raising awareness of a wide range of critical social and health issues,” Dr. Kelej said.

Dr. Rasha Kelej noted that “I am proud to share that Merck Foundation has provided more than 2,600 scholarships for healthcare providers from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved specialties.”

“Many of our Merck Foundation alumni have become the first specialists in their countries. Together with our Ambassadors and partners, we are making history and transforming the patient care landscape across Africa, Asia, and beyond, ” Dr.Kelej noted

According to her, “During our Conference, we also marked World Infertility Awareness Month, observed annually in June, through our historic ‘Merck Foundation More Than a Mother’ campaign, dedicated to empowering infertile and childless women by providing access to information, health, education, and change of mindset.”

Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, added, “I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the First Ladies of Africa and Asia who joined us as Guests of Honor, as well as to the Ministers, healthcare experts, policymakers, government officials, academia, media representatives, and all our partners for their unwavering support and collaboration.”

“At Merck Foundation, we remain committed to improving health and well-being by building healthcare capacity and providing access to quality and equitable healthcare across Africa, Asia, and beyond. Together, we will continue advancing our vision of a world where everyone can lead a healthy and happy life,” he said.

He further highlighted that “I am pleased to share that, of the over 2,600 scholarships provided by Merck Foundation, more than 800 scholarships have been for healthcare providers in the fields of Fertility, Embryology, Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Clinical Psychiatry, Women’s Health, Urology, Laparoscopic Surgical Skills, and Family Medicine.”

“These scholarships are helping strengthen fertility care services and improving access to women’s health across 42 countries,” he revealed

During the 13th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary, two important occasions were marked;the 9th Anniversary of Merck Foundation and 14 years of Merck Foundation’s development programmes that were started in 2012.

On the first day, the Inaugural Session of the 13th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary took place, featuring a high-level panel of the participating First Ladies of Africa and Asia.

Day one was attended by over 800 participants including healthcare providers, policymakers, and media from 57 English, French, and Portuguese-speaking countries.

Additionally, the conference was live streamed on social media, with over 220,000 social media viewers, further amplifying the impact and extending access to knowledge and dialogue across continents.

Day two of the conference had two parallel scientific sessions covering Oncology and Fertility Topics.

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme

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The leader of the Igbo community in Ghana, Dr. Ambassador Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu, has announced the abolition of the use of the title “King of the Igbos in Ghana,” saying the move is aimed at promoting unity, peace, and cultural respect.

In an interview with the media on Wednesday June 17, 2026 at his residence at East Legon, he explained that the decision also follows a directive from the South East Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria, which discourages the use of the title “Ndebo” or “King of Igbos” by individuals residing outside Igbo land.

He said the council has instead directed that leaders of Igbo communities in the diaspora be referred to as “Onyendu Ndebo,” meaning leaders of Igbos abroad.

He noted that he has fully accepted and adopted the new title with immediate effect in Ghana.

Dr. Ihenetu added that the change reflects respect for traditional authority and a commitment to strengthening unity among Igbos living in Ghana and their host communities.

He apologized for any tensions or misunderstandings caused by earlier incidents in 2025, stressing that peace and harmony between Ghanaians and Nigerians must be protected.

“I sincerely apologise for any concerns or inconveniences caused. My respect for Ghana and its traditional authorities remains strong,” he stated.

By: Jacob Aggrey

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Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for the Adentan Constituency, Akosua Manu, has urged party members to move away from what she describes as an “entitlement mentality” and focus on unity, sacrifice and hard work as the party prepares for the 2028 general election.

In a statement titled “Is Loyalty a Queue?”, and posted on facebook, Ms. Manu argued that loyalty to the NPP should not be judged by how long a person has been in the party but by their contributions and commitment to its growth.

According to her, the NPP’s history shows that many of its leaders faced significant opposition from within the party before eventually leading it to electoral success.

She cited former President John Agyekum Kufuor as an example, saying he had to overcome resistance from influential figures within the party before winning power for the NPP in 2000.

Ms. Manu noted that after the party lost power in 2008, former President Kufuor faced criticism and accusations from some party members.

However, she said supporters eventually put their differences aside and worked together to rebuild the party.

She pointed to the experience of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who, according to her, faced opposition from some factions within the NPP despite his long service to the party.

“His trials were ten times what Kufuor endured,” she stated, adding that Akufo-Addo eventually overcame the challenges and became President of Ghana.

Turning to the NPP’s current flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Ms. Manu said he also faced resistance from different groups within the party while seeking leadership.

She praised Dr. Bawumia for contributing to policy-based political discussions in Ghana and for remaining composed following the NPP’s defeat in the 2024 elections.

According to her, party members must now rally behind him in the same way they supported former Presidents Kufuor and Akufo-Addo.

Ms. Manu, however, warned that internal divisions and a sense of entitlement remain major threats to the party’s future.

She argued that some party members place too much emphasis on how long individuals have belonged to the NPP rather than on their contributions and capabilities.

“This entitlement does not question impact. It does not ask what you sacrificed or what you built. It asks only how long have you been here,” she said.

The former parliamentary candidate cautioned that such attitudes could discourage committed members and prevent the party from selecting the best people for leadership positions.

She further called on the party’s incoming national executives to strengthen the NPP’s core values of sacrifice, honesty, integrity and dedication to national development.

Ms. Manu addressed the concerns of young party supporters, many of whom she said became discouraged following the NPP’s electoral defeat in 2024.

According to her, many young people remain eager to see the party return to power but are unwilling to support internal conflicts driven by personal ambitions.

She urged party elders to place the interests of the NPP above their individual goals and to demonstrate leadership that attracts rather than alienates members.

“The NPP is bigger than any one of us. It always has been. Our collective responsibility is to act like it,” she stated.

By: Jacob Aggrey

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Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer aspirant and Member of Parliament for Abetifi, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, has called on party members to put aside their differences and unite behind the NPP’s 2028 presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

In a statement issued on June 19, 2026, Dr. Acheampong said the party’s main focus should be rebuilding and returning to power after its defeat in the 2024 general election.

He noted that he understands the disappointment that follows a closely contested primary, having also contested in the NPP’s January 2026 flagbearer race and lost.

“I speak to you today not as a bystander to our recent contest, but as one who stood in it,” he stated.

Dr. Acheampong expressed concern over recent comments made by former Assin Central MP and former NPP flagbearer aspirant, Kennedy Agyapong, including his threat to take action against the party and some individuals.

According to him, Mr. Agyapong remains an important figure within the NPP whose contributions, loyalty and influence cannot be questioned.

However, he appealed to him to help promote unity rather than deepen divisions within the party.

“It is for that very reason that I urge him, respectfully but firmly, to lower the temperature and to lend his considerable influence to the work of healing rather than division,” Dr. Acheampong said.

He acknowledged that some individuals associated with Dr. Bawumia’s campaign, as well as his own campaign, directed disrespectful comments and insults at Mr. Agyapong during and after the primary contest.

Dr. Acheampong said such conduct was unfortunate and should have been addressed more quickly by party elders.

However, he stressed that there is no evidence that Dr. Bawumia authorised or supported those attacks.

According to him, the individuals involved acted on personal grievances and their actions should not be attributed to the NPP flagbearer or the party as a whole.

He noted that harsh words were exchanged by people on different sides during the contest, including Mr. Agyapong and some of his supporters, but said those comments were made in the heat of the campaign.

Dr. Acheampong called on all parties to forgive one another and work towards reconciliation.

He emphasized that the focus should be on supporting Dr. Bawumia and strengthening the NPP ahead of the 2028 elections.

“Dr. Bawumia is now the candidate of all of us. He carries the mandate not only of those who voted for him, but of every member who voted for Ken, for me, and for the others who contested,” he said.

Dr. Acheampong appealed to Mr. Agyapong, their supporters and all party members to end internal disputes and work together for the party’s success.

He concluded by stating that unity remains the NPP’s best path to victory in the next general election.

“Unity is not weakness. Unity is how we win,” he said.

By: Jacob Aggrey

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Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer aspirant, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has vowed to challenge elements within the party in 2027, accusing some members of disrespecting him and spreading false information about his health.

Speaking in an interview on Net 2 TV yesterday, Mr. Agyapong said he continues to enjoy respect from many people both in Ghana and abroad despite what he described as efforts by some individuals within the NPP to damage his reputation.

He alleged that false claims had been made about him, including reports that he had undergone a head operation.

According to him, such comments were part of attempts to undermine him.

Mr. Agyapong warned members of the NPP to brace themselves for what he described as “action” in June or July 2027.

He said he would not be intimidated by those he believes have treated him unfairly within the party.

According to him, some people think he would return to support them despite the alleged attacks against him.

However, he maintained that he would not remain silent and would respond at the appropriate time.

“They should wait and see. I’m giving them the time that June 2027, they will see action in this country,” he said.

The former Assin Central Member of Parliament did not explain what specific action he intends to take but insisted that he is not afraid of those he believes are working against him.

By: Jacob Aggrey

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