Fashion & art are powerful tools to raise awareness – Dr. Rasha Kelej

The Chief Executive Officer,(CEO) of Merck Foundation, Dr. Rasha Kelej has said that Fashion and art have a purpose beyond just entertainment.

According to her, she believes that fashion and art are powerful tools to address and raise awareness on pressing and sensitive social and health issues in Africa and beyond.

Speaking at the launch of “Our African” television show at the Labadi Beach Hotel on Sunday, July 3, 2022, Dr. Kelej said “I came up with the idea of this informative yet entertaining show.”

She added that the TV show, which will air every Sunday at 2 pm on GH One TV, in Ghana “ is a first-of-its-kind set to be the voice of the voiceless and break the silence about many critical and sensitive social and health issues in Africa. I have conceptualised, produced, directed, and hosted this Pan African show.”

The CEO of Merck Foundation revealed that the show will features African fashion designers, singers, and prominent experts from various domains with the aim to raise awareness and create a culture shift across Africa.

Dr. Kelej added that “Our Africa” TV programme will address various critical and sensitive health issues like Diabetes Awareness, Breaking Infertility Stigma, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, Stopping GBV and Supporting Girl’s Education. The rest are Women’s Empowerment, the Importance of promoting a Healthy Lifestyle, Sustainability and up-cycled fashion, Coronavirus Awareness and many more.

She noted that each episode would deal with a different topic and “looking good and we must make the most out of these platforms to advocate for the causes we work towards every day.”

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme