How Merck is Supporting Girls & Ending Infertility Stigma

Merck Foundation has officially launched its programmes in Ghana in partnership with H.E Lordina Dramani Mahama, The First Lady of the Republic of Ghana and Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother, during the Merck Foundation Ghana Alumni Summit 2026. 

The initiative focuses on strengthening healthcare capacity, improving patient care and supporting social development across the country. 

Through scholarships, healthcare training and educational programmes, the partnership aims to address critical healthcare gaps and support underserved communities nationwide. 

The summit also highlighted the growing role of healthcare education, media engagement and awareness campaigns in improving long-term health outcomes in Ghana.

Specialist healthcare training

The Merck Foundation’s scholarship programme forms a central part of its healthcare development strategy in Ghana. 

The scholarships cover 44 critical and underserved medical specialties, helping to build a stronger network of trained healthcare professionals throughout the country.

Of the 257 scholarships awarded in Ghana, 89 have supported postgraduate diplomas and master’s degrees in diabetes, endocrinology, preventive cardiovascular medicine and obesity and weight management under the Merck Foundation Nationwide Diabetes and Hypertension Blue Points Programme. 

Another 69 scholarships have focused on fertility specialty and embryology training, alongside qualifications in sexual and reproductive care, urology, women’s health and family medicine. 

These programmes aim to strengthen reproductive healthcare services and support efforts to reduce infertility stigma.

“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,” says Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.), CEO of Merck Foundation and President of “More Than a Mother” Campaign.

An additional 12 scholarships have been dedicated to oncology and cancer management, while 87 scholarships have supported healthcare providers pursuing advanced training in specialties including acute medicine, respiratory care, critical care, surgery, psychiatry, dermatology, neurology, paediatrics, infectious diseases and emergency medicine. 

Globally, the Merck Foundation has now provided more than 2,600 scholarships to healthcare professionals from more than 52 countries.

Supporting education and social awareness initiatives

Alongside healthcare training, the partnership between the Merck Foundation and the First Lady of Ghana continues to support educational opportunities for young girls through the Educating Linda Programme. 

The initiative currently provides annual scholarships for 40 high-performing but underprivileged Ghanaian schoolgirls, helping them continue their education and improve future opportunities.

The summit was attended by beneficiaries of the Educating Linda Programme, highlighting the wider social impact of the initiative on education, confidence and career aspirations among young women in Ghana. 

The programme reflects the Foundation’s broader commitment to empowering girls and strengthening communities through access to education.

The Merck Foundation and its partners have also launched seven children’s storybooks to raise awareness about important social and health issues.

Thousands of copies are expected to be distributed across schools in Ghana, while animation film adaptations have also been developed to expand outreach and engagement among young audiences.

“It is a pleasure to welcome and meet the Chairman and CEO of Merck Foundation in our country,” says Lordina.

“Together, we officially launched our joint programs and celebrated important milestones reflecting the great success of our partnership in building healthcare capacity, transforming patient care, breaking infertility stigma and supporting girl education. 

“Our partnership has enabled us to provide 257 scholarships for our healthcare providers nationwide, reaching not only the capital city but communities across the country. 

“This is a huge achievement for us.

“Moreover, through 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.”

Healthcare awareness campaigns

The Merck Foundation is also working with the First Lady of Ghana to strengthen health communication and public awareness through media training and creative engagement initiatives. 

Annual online health media training programmes are organised for Ghanaian journalists to improve reporting on healthcare and social issues.

 “Our aim is to improve the overall health and wellbeing of people by building healthcare capacity across Africa, Asia and other developing countries,” says Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation.

“We are strongly committed to transforming the patient care landscape through our scholarships program.”  

In addition, annual awards programmes have been launched for media professionals, musicians, filmmakers and fashion designers to encourage creative approaches to raising awareness around important public health and social topics. 

To date, more than 125 Ghanaian talents have been recognised through these awards.

During the Ghana Alumni Summit 2026, the Merck Foundation Awards Ceremony acknowledged the winners of the 2024 and 2025 awards programmes. 

The event also marked the announcement of the call for applications for the 2026 awards, continuing the organisation’s efforts to promote healthcare awareness, education and social advocacy across Ghana.