First Lady Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo has expressed gratitude to Merck Foundation for its commitment to supporting healthcare systems as well as women and girls in Ghana.

She also thanked African governments, healthcare workers, and all who continue to work hard to bring the world to normalcy.

Mrs Akufo-Addo said this when she joined other African First Ladies on a virtual platform for the 8th edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2021, which was held on the theme: “Together we make a difference”.

The conference, which was co-chaired by Esther Lungu, First Lady of the Republic of Zambia, Dr Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, was inaugurated by Mr Edgar Lungu, President of Zambia along with Prof Dr Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp Chairman of both Executive Board of E. Merck KG and Merck Foundation Board of Trustees.

Outlining some benefits Ghana has derived from her partnership with Merck Foundation, in her keynote address, Mrs Akufo-Addo stated that more than 60 healthcare providers had received training in various fields among other benefits.