Accra – Merck Foundation CEO (www.Merck-Foundation.com) has recognised and congratulated the Winners of the Fashion, Song, and Film Awards “More Than a Mother” and “Diabetes & Hypertension” Awards 2022.
Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, celebrated the winners of their Fashion, Song, and Film Awards under two themes; “More Than A Mother” and “Diabetes & Hypertension”, during the Award Ceremony held via an online video conference.
The winners were recognised and acknowledged by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of the “More Than a Mother” campaign.
The theme of the “More Than a Mother” Awards was to raise awareness on any of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/or Stopping GBV at all levels.
The theme of the “Diabetes and Hypertension” Awards was to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about the prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension in African countries.
Commenting on the awards, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej said: “I am very excited to announce the winners of 2022 awards together with my dear sisters, First Ladies of Africa, and looking forward to announcing the 2023 winners around March 2024.
“At the same time, I am also excited to announce the call for applications for the Media Recognition Awards and Music, Film, and Fashion Awards of 2024, so all young African talents have the opportunity to work on their creative meaningful messages to break the silence and be the voice of the voiceless in their communities.
“It feels amazing to look at the awards of previous years and witness the continued progress in the quality of the creative work and designs we receive year after year since 2017.
“This in my view, has created a very good impact and it represents a huge milestone towards the culture shift we are aiming to generate with our local partners, Ambassadors, and champions.”
Here is the list of Merck Foundation FASHION Awards “More Than a Mother” 2022 Winners:
FIRST POSITION:
- Charles Kaigwa Madambo, Kenya
- Esther Awukubea, Ghana
- Chanda Chola, Zambia
- Oladipupo Blessing, Nigeria
- David Kwabena Appiah, Ghana
- Ishola Adeyemi Theophilus, Nigeria
- Oloyede Eniola, Nigeria
- Adebayo Balikis Ireti, Nigeria
SECOND POSITION:
- Ambe Odette Awah (Ody Fachy), Ghana
- Rhoda Makena Mutegi, Kenya
- Joel Musasa, Namibia
- Fatou Aïcha Gaye , Senegal
- Libi Schmidt, Namibia
Here are the Winner of the Merck Foundation FASHION Awards “Diabetes & Hypertension” 2022:
FIRST POSITION:
- Nelly Banda, Zambia
- Simo Fotso Sidorova, Cameroon
- Nuru Pelekamoyo, Tanzania
- Eric Adomako, Ghana
- Clare Asiimwe, Uganda
- Linda Mensah, Ghana
- Chewe Manase, Zambia
- Dorcas Baliki, Ghana
SECOND POSITION:
- Jude Aryeetey, Ghana
- Bridgette Prah, Ghana
Here is the list of Merck Foundation SONG Awards “More Than a Mother” 2022 Winners:
FIRST POSITION:
- Precious Udeorah, Nigeria
(English Language)
Theme: Stopping Gender-based Violence
- Téné Bénédicte Ouedraogo, Burkina Faso
(French Language)
Theme: Supporting Girl Education
- Titus Mbela (Basthma), Kenya
(Local Language)
Theme: Supporting Girl Education
SECOND POSITION:
- Muga Kelly Angila, Kenya
(English Language)
Dr. Rasha Kelej Congratulated the 43 winners, from 29 African countries, saying: “I loved your work, it creatively conveyed important messages in line with the theme of the awards.
“I welcome our winners to our ‘Fashion & Art with Purpose’ community, as I strongly believe that Fashion and Art play a significant role in raising awareness about health & sensitive social topics by transferring the information in an entertaining way and can bring a culture shift in Africa.”
Merck Foundation also rewarded the winners by providing them with one-year access to an online educational training program called ‘MasterClass’.
The MasterClass is an immersive online experience and self-paced learning course that can be accessed anywhere with the internet.
Senator Rasha Kelej further added: “I would also like to announce the Call for Applications for the Merck Foundation Fashion, Song, and Film Awards 2024 ‘More Than a Mother’ and ‘Diabetes and Hypertension‘”.
“These awards are in partnership with my dear sisters, the African First Ladies who are also the Ambassadors of Merck Foundation ‘More Than a Mother’.
“I invite our African talents to share their entries with us at submit@merck-foundation.com.”
You can watch the Merck Foundation Fashion, Song, and Film Awards 2022 ceremony here: https://apo-opa.co/48ZSFY5
As part of their Community Awareness Program, Merck Foundation has released more than 30 songs in English, French, Portuguese, and local languages, intending to address important issues like Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, and Diabetes Awareness.
Moreover, Merck Foundation has also released a series of Animation Films in English, French, and Portuguese to address a wide range of social and health issues.
Merck Foundation CEO has also conceptualised, produced, directed, and co-hosted ‘Our Africa by Merck Foundation’, a pan-African TV program to feature African Fashion Designers, Singers, and prominent experts from various domains to raise awareness and create a culture shift across Africa.
The TV program has been broadcast on prime TV stations in many African countries like Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Zambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Burundi, and more.
“Our Africa” TV Program is currently on the social media handles of Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej [Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/3OaE3Nx), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/3Hqh7Gn), Twitter (https://apo-opa.co/47MYgQp) and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4aZTG4n)] and Merck Foundation [Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/3tQ5Mwl), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/47EdrLP), Twitter (https://apo-opa.co/421mJR3) and YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/3u172MZ)].
This year the Merck Foundation plans to announce the winners of the 2023 awards around March 2024;
The Merck Foundation CEO also announced a call for applications for 2024 Merck Foundation Fashion, Song, and Film Awards in partnership with The First Ladies of Africa – apply now at submit@merck-foundation.com;
You can watch the Merck Foundation Fashion, Song, and Film Awards 2022 ceremony here: https://apo-opa.co/48ZSFY5
