Local Songs; A Powerful Tactic to Form Awareness and Empower Women in Africa

 Accra, Ghana
The Annual Conference of Merck Foundation was organised last week in Accra, Ghana, in collaboration with the First Lady of Ghana, H.E. Rebecca Akufo Addo to enhance awareness and build healthcare capability.

At the conference, an astonishing song was unveiled with the objective to empower African girls and women in education and encourage them to follow their dreams and reach their potential. The song was a collaboration of Merck Foundation and First Lady of Ghana. The beautiful song was lauded by the audience of about 1000 healthcare contributors, policy makers and media from 60 nations. Also, the song was shared with the local populace of Ghana via several TV Channels. The reaction obtained on the song by the people of the nation is remarkable. Prof. Ashiru, President of African Fertility Society stressed, “I was touched by this song and I found it worth sharing with my family, friends, colleagues and everyone I know, or get to know. I found myself saying, did you watch the video of this new song of Merck Foundation to empower women, it is an amazing song. Many of us even had tears in my eyes when I heard and watched the video.” Hon. Mary Thom Navicha, Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Republic of Malawi elucidated, “It is very important to know what are the future plans for this song. Is it going to be broadcasted on different Radio FM and TV across Africa? We want media persons across our continent to know about this beautiful song so they can share it with their followers and readers to contribute to this vision of empowering women and girls and be part of this historic campaign “More Than a Mother”. African journalists have the power to take this song to the masses. Encouraging everyone to listen and watch this amazing song then share on their platforms so that every little girl in the heart of Africa get to watch it and understand that the sky is the limit for her. And that she can be anything she wants to be.” The women empowerment song has been composed and sung by Cwesi and Adina, renowned local singers from Ghana and this astonishing concept was by Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of Merck More Than a Mother. She is an African lady who devoted her genius mind to empower women and youth and break the taboo of infertility via Merck Foundation. On being questioned what makes her think of shaping and producing this song and other songs in local languages in diverse nations, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of Merck More Than a Mother observed, “This song especially is a very special song as it communicates the key message of ‘Merck More Than a Mother’ that women are more than just mothers. They are integral and indispensable members of society. Through this song, we have tried to portray the different roles women are playing and can play in our society. Through this song, I want to give out a message to all the girls to be dedicated and step into frontiers that are male-dominated. You can be a Doctor, Engineer, Judge, Scientist, Pilot, Banker, Investor, Minister and President. Believe in yourself, you can advance our Africa.” It is extremely commendable to witness that The First Ladies of Malawi, Liberia and Burundi who are also the Ambassadors of “Merck More Than a Mother”, stress that they are functioning closely with Merck Foundation to deliver the message that women are more than just mothers and educating them is extremely vital. Education is the only thing that no one can take away from you.  Together with Merck Foundation, they too are backing the education of downtrodden but bright girls by furnishing the fees and other costs so they can finish their education and become fruitful members in their societies. This is all by means of a program labelled, “Educating Linda” which has been unveiled this year in the three nations and will be scaled up to the rest of the continent. Women from all spheres should come and volunteer in this program and to be ambassadors of Merck More Than a Mother. By ANJISHNU BISWAS