The Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) summit once again brought together First Ladies from across Africa to spotlight and strengthen their collective efforts in advancing healthcare, education, and women’s empowerment on the continent.
This year’s summit was a powerful convergence of vision, leadership, and commitment to building a more equitable and healthier Africa.
Among the key voices was Her Excellency Mrs. Lordina Dramani Mahama, the First Lady of Ghana, who delivered a compelling address highlighting the tangible impact of Merck Foundation programmes in her country. She noted that the Foundation’s initiatives have significantly improved the professional capacity of Ghanaian doctors through specialized training in critical areas such as oncology, diabetes, reproductive health, and fertility care.
“The Merck Foundation has played an instrumental role in bridging healthcare gaps in Ghana,” said Mrs. Mahama. “Through scholarships and mentorship programmes, our doctors are now better equipped to provide quality care, particularly in underserved regions. This is helping to transform our national health landscape.”
Over the years, the Merck Foundation, in partnership with African First Ladies, has implemented a wide range of initiatives aimed at strengthening public healthcare systems, ending child marriage, promoting girls’ education, and breaking the stigma surrounding infertility. These interventions have reached thousands of healthcare professionals, educators, and community leaders across more than 20 African countries.
The summit featured impactful keynote speeches, dynamic strategy sessions, andprogress reviews from participating First Ladies, each reaffirming their national commitments to key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Discussions also emphasized the importance of investing in human capital, particularly in health and education, as a catalyst for sustainable development.
Other key areas of focus highlighted during the summit included robust advocacy campaigns aimed at eliminating gender-based violence and harmful cultural practices, as well as initiatives to empower women entrepreneurs through mentorship and access to financial resources.
The summit also underscored the importance of strengthening girl-child education by addressing the root causes of school dropout and early marriage. Additionally, significant emphasis was placed on building the capacity of healthcare professionals in specialized fields such as oncology, cardiology, endocrinology, and mental health to enhance the quality of care across the continent.
As the Merck Foundation marks significant milestones, the MFFLI platform continues to serve as a powerful engine for policy influence and program implementation, led by some of Africa’s most influential women.
The summit concluded with renewed partnerships and a collective pledge from the First Ladies to champion more inclusive, people-centered policies and programmes that ensure no one is left behind.
