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‘Rebecca Foundation committed to partnering Merck Foundation for change’

Bouquet for First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo as she arrives in Dubai to participate in the 9th Africa

Asia Luminary on Tuesday. She was welcomed on arrival by the CEO of the Merck Foundation, Senator Dr.

Rasha Kelej.

The First Lady of Ghana, Rebecca Naa Okaikor Akufo-Addo, has assured Merck Foundation of her continuous commitment in her quest to change the status quo.

According to the First Lady, her Rebecca Foundation is committed to working together with Merck Foundation to make a difference in the lives of the people of Ghana.

Mrs Rebecca Akuffo Addo addressing the gathering

Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo made this pledge during her address at the inaugural session of the 9th edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary held on Tuesday, November 16 at Hilton Hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

She expressed appreciation to the gathering for their support and solidarity for making the 6th Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary hosted in Accra, Ghana in 2019 a success.

The First Lady of Ghana said the country’s partnership was launched in January 2019 and has since been a productive collaboration not only for her office but for society in general.

Mrs Akufo-Addo said growing up, she saw a gross injustice of women being tagged as infertile.

According to her, Merck Foundation’s support for infertility and other conditions in Ghana has been immense, adding that as a result, about 110 public sector healthcare providers have received specialists training.

This, she said, has resulted in improving equitable and quality healthcare solutions and praised the awards event which has so far rewarded about 100 Ghanaian journalists and musicians.

Mrs Akufo-Addo further noted that her Foundation and Merck Foundation would continue to inspire girl education through the ‘Educating Linda’ initiative among other initiatives.

According to her, through this initiative about 20 highly performing but underprivileged girls have received scholarships with about 3,000 sets of schools supplies distributed to schools in Ghana and looking forward to launch additional five books to support the effort.

Mrs Akufo-Addo lauded Merck Foundation for its decision to support her “Because I want to be” mentor Initiative, which encourages girls to stay in school and support dropouts with skills training.

She established the Rebecca Foundation in 2017, with a focus on the wellbeing of Ghanaian women and children in the areas of education, health and women’s economic empowerment.

The Rebecca Foundation continues to be a major partner to the Ministry of Health in the provision of services to Ghanaians especially women and children.

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme, Dubai

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Communication Ministry To Train 3000 Girls This Year Under The Girls-In-ICT Initiative

The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations is set to train 3,000 girls under this year’s Girls-In-ICT Initiative.

The 2025 edition of the programme will expand its footprint to three key regions: Volta, Upper East and Upper West, with each region hosting 1,000 girls for in-person training sessions.

This marks a significant increase in reach and impact compared to previous years, where only 500 girls received face-to-face training while an additional 500 participated online.

By offering full in-person training to all participants this year, the Ministry aims to provide a more immersive and hands-on experience in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) education.

The Minister, Samuel Nartey George (MP) revealed this when a team from TATA Consultancy Services (TCS) paid a courtesy call on him today in his office and expressed interest in supporting the Girls-In-ICT Initiative.

During the meeting, the TCS team led by the President-MEA, Sumanta Roy commended the Ministry for its efforts in promoting digital inclusion and bridging the gender gap in technology through the Girls-In-ICT programme.

They emphasized the alignment of the initiative with TCS’s global corporate social responsibility agenda, which includes advancing education, promoting digital skills, and empowering underrepresented groups, especially young women in the tech industry.

The Honourable Minister welcomed the interest shown by TCS and noted that strategic partnerships like this are essential to the sustainability and expansion of the initiative.

The Girls-In-ICT Initiative, one of the Ministry’s flagship programs, seeks to equip young girls with practical digital skills and introduce them to the vast opportunities within the ICT sector.

The initiative also aims to address gender disparity in STEM fields and encourage greater female participation in Ghana’s digital economy.

Hon. Samuel Nartey George (MP) speaking about the 2025 rollout, stated: “This year’s program represents our commitment to building inclusive digital skills and creating future leaders in tech.

By expanding in-person sessions to all participants, we’re ensuring that every girl has the opportunity to learn, engage, and grow with hands-on support from professionals and mentors”.

Participants in this year’s training will receive instruction in coding, basic computer operations, cybersecurity and creative digital tools.

The programme also features mentorship sessions with women in tech, ICT competitions and career development workshops designed to build confidence and spark innovation among the girls.

According to the Minister, empowering girls today with ICT skills will transform communities and drive national development. The initiative is a key part of Ghana’s broader digital transformation agenda, which emphasizes equitable access to digital tools and education for all citizens.

About the Girls In ICT Initiative:

The Girls-in-ICT (GIICT) Initiative was introduced in Ghana in 2012. It is an initiative by the International Telecommunications Union to create a global environment that empowers and encourages girls and young women to consider studies and careers in the growing field of ICT.

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GEXIM deepens relations with US EXIM Bank

A management team of the Ghana Export – Import Bank (GEXIM) led by the Acting Chief Executive, Sylvester Mensah met with the leadership of the Export–Import Bank of the United States (US EXIM) on Wednesday April 23, 2025 in Washington DC, United States of America.

The Acting President and Chairman of US EXIM, Mr. James C. Cruse and Vice President, International Relations, Ms. Isabel Galdiz received the GEXIM delegation, which included Deputy CEO for Banking, Mr. Moses Klu Mensah and Head of International Cooperation, Mr. Jonathan Christopher Koney at the headquarters of US EXIM.

The meeting offered the GEXIM team the opportunity to share the strategic direction of the Bank in line with the resetting agenda of the President of the Republic, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama for the repositioning of the Ghanaian economy into an export-led one by providing the requisite investment to Ghanaian businesses.

Mr. James C. Cruse expressed US EXIM’s eagerness to deepen its existing relations with GEXIM and proposed the signing of a new Cooperative Framework Agreement following the expiration of a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2019 to utilize US EXIM’s medium term loan guarantees to procure machinery by GEXIM for qualified Ghanaian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).

Mr.Sylvester Mensah thanked the Acting President and Chairman of US EXIM for hosting the GEXIM delegation and reaffirmed the Ghanaian government’s commitment to strengthening trade and investment between Ghana and its global partners for economic transformation of Ghana with GEXIM playing a pivotal role.

The two teams will be meeting on the sidelines of the 2025 US EXIM Annual Conference on 29th and April 30, 2025 to explore possible areas of collaboration and matching Ghanaian businesses to American companies. The meeting ended with an exchange of gifts.