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The Spectator to cover 9th Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary in Dubai
Aerial view of African First Ladies who attended the Merck Foundation
First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit in 2019
Our Online Editor, Edem Mensah-Tsotorme, will depart Accra tomorrow evening for Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, to cover the 9th edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary which begins on Tuesday, November, 15 to Wednesday, November 16, 2022.
The inauguration session will see more than 16 African First Ladies as Guests of Honour, including Ghana’s First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo.
This session would take a critical look at the strategies and impact of Merck Foundation Partnership programmes in building healthcare capacity and their role to break infertility stigma and support girl education as Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” and “Educating Linda” programmes followed by the questions and answers.
It would be followed by Merck Foundation Health Media Training on November 16, 2022, simultaneously with the scientific sessions.
Also, there would be the Merck Foundation Health Media Training as part of the Foundation’s “More than a Mother” Community Awareness Programme to be addressed by medical and media experts to emphasise the important role that media plays to influence the society to create a cultural shift with the aim to break infertility stigma, support girl education, stop gender-based violence, end child marriage, end female genital mutilation, and women empowerment at all levels.
It will also highlight the importance of increasing the awareness of early detection and prevention of diabetes and hypertension.
More than 6,000 healthcare providers, policy makers, academia, researchers and health media from Sub- Saharan Africa, more than 70 English, French, Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries will attend the two-day conference to benefit from valuable educational and social development sessions by top international experts in various fields.
Countries participating are Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Cambodia, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Guinea – Bissau, Guinea – Conakry, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malaysia, UK, UAE, Russia and Mexico among others.
Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA, Germany that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people to advance their lives through science and technology.
By Spectator Reporter
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Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation –Pres.Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has expressed concern over the misuse of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) for personal financial gain by individuals in leadership positions.
Speaking during a meeting with Chief Executives of specified entities under the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA) on Thursday, March 13, the President directly attributed the dire state of SOEs to their leadership, accusing chief executives, management teams, and governing boards of prioritising personal enrichment over organisational efficiency.
He pointed to bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures as factors draining public funds while SOEs continue to rely on government bailouts.
“Many SOEs have been used as mere instruments for personal wealth accumulation by appointees. The chief executives, management, and boards of these enterprises are responsible for this situation. Some SOEs have become perennial loss-makers, draining public funds with bloated budgets, unjustified allowances, and unnecessary expenditures while relying on government bailouts as if entitled to them. Many of these entities are at their lowest point in the entire history of the Fourth Republic,” he said.
President Mahama further noted that many SOEs have been plagued by inefficiencies, corruption, and mismanagement, leading to consistent financial losses. He cited the 2023 State Ownership Report by the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), which highlighted systemic inefficiencies and wasteful expenditures within these entities.
He therefore reaffirmed his commitment to reforming under-performing SOEs and ensuring they serve national interests.
He warned that loss-making SOEs will no longer be tolerated and will either be merged, privatised, or closed.
“I will assess you based on your performance. If you do not align with the pace of the reset agenda, you may be asked to step aside. If that adds to the horror movie, so be it,” he added.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
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Prophet Courage Heavens set to launch ‘Predestination’ book on March 23
Prophet Courage A. Heavens is set to launch the much-awaited book titled ‘Predestination’ on Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 5:00PM.
The launch, which is expected to impact lives, will take place at Crossgates Ministries, Flattop, off N1 Highway, opposite Angel Hauz.
The book is aimed at addressing the way people struggle to understand how free will and destiny align.
It is also aimed at providing clarity on God’s sovereignty and one’s place in His divine plan.
The various chapters of the book address various issues through scriptures and personal stories.
Committed to impacting society, part of the proceeds from the book will go into Courage Heavens Education Legacy (CHEL), an educational foundation transforming lives.
CHEL is dedicated to providing financial support and mentorship to brilliant but needy students, ensuring they have access to quality education and opportunities for a better future.
Prophet Courage Heavens is a prolific writer and previously authored Eli Eli Lama Sabachthani, a powerful book that encourages unwavering faith in times of trials.
In addition, he has written seven more prophetic and life-changing books that are yet to be published.
He is dedicated to raising the next generation for impactful ministry. As the leader of Crossgates Ministries, he nurtures believers in faith and purpose.
