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We have made significant impact through our partnership with Merck Foundation – Rebecca Akufo-Addo
The First Lady of Ghana & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother, Rebecca Akufo-Addo has expressed her appreciation to Merck Foundation for their strategic partnership.
According to her, the partnership between The Rebecca Foundation and Merck Foundation has positively impacted healthcare delivery in Ghana.
She made these remarks during the opening ceremony of 10th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary held in India on October 18, 2023.
“Our partnership with Merck Foundation and my role as Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” started in 2018, and since then, we have been making a significant impact and continuously progressing towards our objectives and realizing our vision, She said.
Mrs.Akufo-Addo added “I am also very proud to be working closely with Merck Foundation, as the Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” Ambassador and I wholeheartedly support and appreciate their historic campaign which is very critical for my country and for Africa at large.”
She noted that the Rebecca Foundation is now recognised as a strategic partner for the health sector in Ghana, a feat which she said has been possible through the support of strategic partners like Merck Foundation.
The First Lady added that today, the Rebecca Foundation is no longer restricted to building, renovating, and resourcing health facilities, but providing access to new resources, knowledge and networks that enhance the work of health professionals.
She further revealed that Merck Foundation has helped train more than 130 public health providers in 39 diverse disciplines in Ghana.
“Ghana can now boast of more specialists in very critical areas in medicine because of Merck Foundation and I truly thank Merck Foundation for the significant intervention in the country’s healthcare,” she said.
This notwithstanding, she made a special appeal, saying
Ghana lacks radiologists, and currently has only one active and two retired cardiac anaesthesiologists, adding that the country urgently needs to train some, cardiac anaesthesiologists, and interventional radiologists
She disclosed that the candidates are ready, and all needed is the opportunity
She expressed her dedication saying, “We are committed to working closely with our long-term partner Merck Foundation. I’d like to thank the Merck Foundation for hosting this important conference, I am sure that we all will, yet again, benefit from it.”
Rebecca Akufo-Addo commended Merck Foundation for its robust role in creating awareness about infertility, diabetes and using arts to tell stories about health.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
