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The President of Angola, H.E. JO\u00c3OLOUREN\u00c7O, The President of South Africa, H.E. CYRIL RAMAPHOSA, The President of Ghana, H.E. JOHN MAHAMA\u00a0and Merck Foundation CEO, Dr. Rasha Kelej recognized amongst the\u00a0 100 Most influential Africans 2025 by New African Magazine, UK.
\nDr. Rasha Kelej, Merck Foundation CEO recognized for the seventh consecutive year as one of 100 most Influential African. 2025 recognition is by New African Magazine of UK, along side president of Angola, Ghana and South Africa.
\nThe list of 100 Most Influential Africans 2025is made up of prominent African Leaders in different sectors such as Public office, Business, Technology, Change Makers, Thinkers and Opinion Shapers, Creative and Sports influencing the communities and sectors with their inspirational work.<\/p>\n
Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d Campaign has been recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential Africans, by the prestigious New African Magazine (UK).<\/p>\n
The special edition spotlights the individuals shaping Africa\u2019s present and future. The publication\u2019s correspondents and collaborators have scanned the length and breadth of the continent to identify 2025\u2019s human gems\u2014leaders, innovators, and change-makers whose influence and impact continue to drive transformation across Africa and beyond.<\/p>\n
Speaking about the recognition, Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation expressed, \u201cI am deeply honoured to be recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential Africans by New African (UK), and to be named alongside the esteemed leaders of our continent, including the Presidents of Angola, Ghana, and South Africa, as well as many other change makers. Congratulations to all.\u201d<\/p>\n
She further emphasized, \u201cThis recognition is very special to me, as it acknowledges my continued efforts to build and strengthen healthcare capacity, empower women living with infertility, and support girl education through our Merck Foundation programs. It only encourage me and motivate me and my team to strengthen our commitment to continue my efforts to create lasting, equitable impact across Africa for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
Under Dr. Rasha Kelej \u2018s\u00a0 leadership, Merck Foundation has been running impactful programs like their \u201cScholaship Program for Healthcare Providers\u201d to transform the patient care landscape and improving access to quality&equitable healthcare solutions in Africa and beyond; their signature \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d movement that she created in 2015 to build quality and equitable Reproductive and Fertility Care Capacity, Break Infertility Stigma, Raise Awareness about Infertility Prevention&Male Infertility, and Support Girl Education; and \u201cEducating Linda\u201d program to support girl education.<\/p>\n
Over the past 13 years, Dr. Rasha Kelej has worked closely with more than 33 African and Asian First Ladies as Ambassadors of Merck Foundation \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d in their countries, to lead their programs and key partners including Ministries of Health, Information, Education&Gender, Academia, Policymakers, International Fertility Societies, Media and Art from over 52 countries.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am delighted to share that we have provided 2500 scholarships for healthcare providers from 52 countries, across 44 critical and underserved medical specialties. I am proud that many of our alumni have become, or are on their way to becoming, the first specialists in their respective countries. We are building a lasting legacy in Africa.\u201d She added.<\/p>\n
Through the \u201cMerck Foundation More Than a Mother\u201d campaign which is a strong movement that aims to empower infertile and childless women through access to information, education, health and change of mindset, Dr. Kelej has been working closely with partners to create a culture shift and transforming fertility care and women health landscape in public health nationwide in 42 African and Asia countries.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have provided out of the 2500 scholarships, 770 scholarships for healthcare providers from 42 countries, of clinical training of Fertility care and Embryology, and One year PG Diploma and two-year Master Degree in Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Clinical Psychiatry, Women\u2019s Health, Biotechnology of Human Assisted Reproduction&Embryology, Urology, Laparoscopic Surgical skills and Family Medicine. These specialists are critical to advance quality and equitable women health in general and reproductive and fertility care in particular.\u201d Senator, Rasha Kelej explained.<\/p>\n
Moreover, Merck Foundation has also supported childless women by helping them start their own small businesses through \u201cEmpowering\u00a0 Berna\u201d program.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is all about giving every woman the respect and support she deserves to lead a fulfilling life, with or without a child, she added.<\/p>\n
Moreover, Dr. Kelej is a strong advocate for Education as one of the most critical areas of women empowerment. Therefore, in partnership with African First Ladies, Merck Foundation provided year to date more than 1200 annual scholarships to high-performing and underprivileged African schoolgirls from 19 countries, enabling them to complete their studies and reach their\u00a0 potential.\u00a0 Countries such as;\u00a0 across several African countries, including Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, S\u00e3o Tom\u00e9 and Pr\u00edncipe, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia, Zimbabwe and other.<\/p>\n
Dr. Rasha Kelej is a trailblazer whose vision and dedication have transformed lives across Africa. She is celebrated for her pioneering initiatives that tackle some of the continent\u2019s most pressing social and health challenges like breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education, ending child marriage, gender-based violence&female genital mutilation, and advancing women\u2019s empowerment.<\/p>\n
Through her remarkable leadership, Dr. Kelej has united the media, fashion, and arts communities to be the voice of the voiceless. Her unique initiatives including a Pan-African TV program, Health Media Training, Annual Awards for best media, song, fashion design and film, awareness songs, children\u2019s storybooks, and animations films have created a culture shift in communities.<\/p>\n
A true visionary, Dr. Kelej inspires and educates over 8.5 million social media followers, keeping them engaged with empowering and awareness content. Her tireless commitment, innovative approach, and unwavering passion continue to reshape the social and health landscape, leaving a legacy of hope, empowerment, and progress across Africa.<\/p>\n
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of for Africa.<\/p>\n
Social Media:\u00a0
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej Instagram:\u00a0https:\/\/apo-opa.co\/3YGnzSc<\/a>
Sentor, Dr. Rasha Kelej Facebook:\u00a0https:\/\/apo-opa.co\/3MUVYKo<\/a>
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej Twitter:\u00a0https:\/\/apo-opa.co\/44DQXvT<\/a><\/p>\n