By Maxwell Awumah
Ho, Aug. 10, GNA – Dr Rasha Kelej, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Merck Foundation, has been recognised among the “100 Most Impactful Voices 2026” by ABCD Africa, a recognition celebrating influential women of African descent.
The recipients use their platforms to inspire change, amplify important social conversations, and drive meaningful impact across communities.
The list features prominent women leaders and changemakers from 54 African countries and includes the President of Tanzania. It was released on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2026.
The latest recognition adds to a series of international accolades received by Dr Kelej, for her leadership and social initiatives.
She was recently named among the “100 Most Influential Africans 2025” by New African Magazine and has also been recognised among the “100 Most Influential African Women” by Avance Media for the seventh consecutive year, alongside prominent African leaders, including Presidents, First Ladies and Prime Ministers.
The recognitions highlight her commitment to women’s empowerment, girls’ education and improving access to quality and equitable healthcare across Africa.
Expressing her gratitude, Senator Dr Rasha Kelej (Rtd), CEO of Merck Foundation, said: “I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition and to be included in the ‘100 Most Impactful Voices 2026’ list. I sincerely thank ABCD Africa for acknowledging my work over the past 14 years to build healthcare capacity, transform the patient care landscape, break infertility stigma, empower women, and support girl education in Africa and beyond.
“This recognition is truly very special to me, and it inspires me to continue my efforts to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people.”
She also congratulated the other women recognised, saying: “Together, we will continue to use our voices to inspire positive change and create a better future for our communities.”
Joké Pearl Oyebamiji, Founder of ABCD Africa, said: “In a world where digital influence is shaping policies, economies, and culture, women’s voices must not only be heard but amplified.”
“This list is about more than recognition—it’s a movement. A reminder that your voice matters. That the stories you tell and the knowledge you share have the power to shape Africa’s future,” she said.
From coaches and content creators to community leaders and technology innovators, the women are reshaping industries, amplifying underrepresented stories and tackling major challenges, including climate change, economic disparity, gender equity and the future of artificial intelligence.
The list highlights voices across platforms such as Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, X, TikTok, podcasts, streaming platforms and blogs, featuring women who are not only speaking up but also sparking conversations that drive action.
Under Dr Kelej’s leadership, Merck Foundation has transformed the patient care landscape and built healthcare capacity across Africa and other developing regions.
“We have provided over 2,500 scholarships for healthcare providers from more than 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties, helping to improve access to quality and equitable healthcare,” Dr Kelej said.
Dr Kelej is also the creator of the “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” campaign, a movement aimed at empowering infertile and childless women through access to information, education, health and mindset change.
She works closely with more than 33 African and Asian First Ladies, who are ambassadors of the “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” campaign, to lead Merck Foundation programmes in their respective countries.
“I really enjoy working with dear sisters, the First Ladies of Africa and Asia, we are not just partners, we are more than friends, I enjoy our sisterhood and respect it,” Dr Kelej said.
She is also a strong advocate for education as a critical area of women’s empowerment.
In partnership with African First Ladies, Merck Foundation has, to date, provided more than 1,200 annual scholarships to high-performing and underprivileged African schoolgirls from 19 countries, enabling them to complete their studies and reach their potential.
The programme is active in 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, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Dr Kelej has also established the “Art and Fashion with Purpose” community to address critical health and social issues, including breaking infertility stigma, supporting girls’ education, ending female genital mutilation and child marriage, stopping gender-based violence and raising awareness about diabetes, hypertension and cancer.
She has launched several community awareness programmes, including health media training, songs, children’s storybooks, animation films, awards for best media, song, film and fashion design, as well as a Pan-African television programme, “Our Africa”.
Merck Foundation initiatives and impact
Merck Foundation has provided more than 2,500 scholarships to healthcare providers from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties.
The Foundation has also trained more than 4,000 media representatives from over 42 countries to raise awareness about various social and health issues.
Dr Kelej has created eight annual awards for best media coverage, songs, films and fashion, as well as about 30 songs addressing health and social issues, produced by local singers across Africa in English, French, Portuguese and local languages.
She has also created nine children’s storybooks in four languages—English, French, Portuguese and Swahili—and six awareness animation films in five languages—English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Swahili—to raise awareness about breaking infertility stigma, supporting girls’ education and preventing and detecting diabetes, hypertension and cancer early.
The Pan-African television programme, “Our Africa by Merck Foundation”, addresses social and health issues in Africa through the “Fashion and Art with Purpose” community.
The Foundation also provides more than 1,200 scholarships annually to high-performing but underprivileged African schoolgirls from 19 countries to help them complete their studies and reach their full potential.
It operates 15 social media channels with more than 8.5 million followers.
GNA
Edited By: Audrey Dekalu
Reporter: Maxwell Awumah
Email: [email protected]