African First Ladies gathered in Banjul this week to set the strategic direction for the upcoming Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2025, co-chaired by H.E. Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, First Lady of The Gambia, and Dr. Rasha Kelej, Chief Executive Officer of the Merck Foundation. The session took place alongside preparations for the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Committee 2025, a high-level body guiding continental collaboration on women’s health, education, and social empowerment.
Dr. Kelej described the preparatory work as “a powerful day at the Protocol Room,” reflecting the coordination behind one of Africa’s most influential health partnerships. The meeting marked a key moment in aligning national priorities with the foundation’s multi-country programs across Africa and Asia.
The MFFLI Committee brings together First Ladies from several African nations who serve as Ambassadors of the foundation’s campaigns to strengthen access to healthcare, end gender-based violence, and break infertility stigma. Through their offices, the First Ladies support capacity-building in the medical sector and advance the foundation’s community outreach model.
Held during the 12th Edition of the Africa Asia Luminary, the summit convened more than 6,000 participants including policymakers, medical experts, and media leaders representing over 70 countries. According to the Merck Foundation’s event statement, the forum also celebrated 13 years of the organisation’s development impact across the Global South.
The agenda addressed a wide range of issues, from infertility care and oncology to diabetes, hypertension, and mental health. A dedicated media training program equipped journalists to report more effectively on sensitive social topics such as child marriage, stigma surrounding infertility, and women’s access to education.
Beyond policy dialogue, the gathering emphasised implementation. Dr. Kelej reaffirmed the foundation’s intent to scale its fellowship programs for doctors in underserved specialties such as neonatal and emergency pediatric care. The initiative’s impact is already visible in more than 50 African countries, where thousands of healthcare providers have received scholarships and clinical training through Merck Foundation partnerships.
The outcome of the 2025 committee session is expected to strengthen cooperation between First Ladies’ offices, ministries of health, and media institutions, ensuring that advocacy translates into measurable progress on women’s health and empowerment. The summit underscored how collaborative leadership at the highest levels of government can transform public health outcomes across Africa.