Merck Foundation brings 26 African Ministers together to Empower Women and Youth in STEM through their online Merck Africa Research Summit (MARS) in partnership with African Union

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• Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit -MARS was conducted online during the 8th edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2021. 

• The MARS Summit High-Level Ministerial Panel Discussion with 26 Ministers of Health, Science and Technology, Education, Information And Gender and MARS Researchers.


Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany conducted the Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit – MARS 2021 online, in partnership with the African Union and African Ministers of different sectors, during the 8th edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2021, held in partnership with 

the Government of Zambia. The conference was inaugurated by The President of the Republic of Zambia, H.E. Dr. EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU and Prof. Dr. Frank 

Stangenberg-Haverkamp Chairman of both of Executive Board of E.Merck KG and Merck Foundation Board of Trustees. It was co-chaired by H.E. Mrs. ESTHER 

LUNGU, The First Lady of the Republic of Zambia and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation.

Elaborating about the MARS Summit, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and Chairperson of MARS explained “I am very happy to have 26 

African Ministers of different sectors, coming together for the MARS Online VC. Merck Foundation has been committed to underscore its long-term commitment towards building Healthcare and Research Capacity in Af rica with a special focus on women and youth. This year, the Summit mainly addressed the importance of Empowering women and youth in education and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics); challenges and strategies, the response to the Coronavirus pandemic, and the Role of Scientific Research in responding to Cancer and Vaccines Development – Two emerging challenges in Af rica”.

Dr. Eng. Ahmed Hamdy, Executive Director, African Union - Scientific, Technical and Research Commission, emphasized, “The Merck Foundation Africa 

Research Summit was a valuable opportunity for all those engaged and interested in health research in Af rica to learn about the full spectrum of ground-breaking scientific research currently underway in the continent with respect to COVID-19, and prepare the road ahead in Af rica’s strategy to tackle the pandemic with a concrete approach”.

MARS Online VC brought distinguished leaders on a single platform to reaffirm Merck Foundation's commitment towards developing a strong Africa roadmap towards gender equality by discussing policies, leadership, and scientific roles that can enable women to recover and thrive in a post-COVID-19 world.

Hon. Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, Minister of Health and Population, Malawisaid, “Women stand at the f ront lines of the COVID-19 crisis, as health care workers, caregivers, innovators, community organizers, and as some of the most exemplary and ef fective national leaders in combating the pandemic. This MARS ministerial panel has highlighted both the centrality of their contributions and the role of governments and policies in advancing gender equality which will be conducive in our collaboration to empower women and supporting girls in education. I am very privileged to work closely with the Af rican Ministers to contribute towards the development of Af rica.”

The High-level Ministerial panel included:

1) Hon. Dr. Jonas Kamima CHANDA, Minister of Health, Zambia;

2) Hon. Dr. Dennis WANCHINGA, Minister of General Education, Zambia;

3) Hon. Dr. Brian MUSHIMBA, Minister of Higher Education, Zambia;

4) Hon. Elizabeth PHIRI, Minister of Gender, Zambia;

5) Hon. Dora SILIYA, Minister of Information & Broadcasting Service, Zambia;

6) Hon. Silvia Paula Lutucuta, Minister of Health, Angola;

7) Hon. Dr. NDIKUMANA Thadée, Minister of Public Health & Fighting against AIDS, Burundi;

8) Hon. Dr. François HAVYARIMANA, Ministre de L’Education Nationale et de la Recherche Scientifique, Burundi;

9) Hon. Imelde SABUSHIMIKE, Ministre de la Solidarité Nationale, des Affaires Sociales, des Droits de la Personne Humaine et du Genre, Burundi;

10) Hon. Marie Chantal NIJIMBERE, Ministre de la Communication, des Technologies de L’Information et des Médias, Republic of Burundi;

11) Hon. Jacquiline Lydia Mikolo, Minister of Health & Population, Republic of the Congo;

12) Hon. Dr. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh, Minister of Health, The Gambia;

13) Hon. Ebrima SILLAH, Minister of Information, The Gambia;

14) Hon. Colonel Remy Lama, Minister of Health, Guinea Conakry; 

15) Hon. Pr. Amadou Bano Barry, Minister of Education, Guinea Conakry; 

16) Hon. Amara Sompare, Minister of Information & Communication, Guinea Conkary;

17) Hon. Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, Minister of Health & Population, Malawi;

18) Hon. Dr. Patricia Kaliati, Minister Of Gender, Community Development & Social Welfare, Republic of Malawi;

19) Hon. Agnes Nyalonje, Minister Of Education, Malawi;

20) Hon. Ulemu Msungama, Minister Of Youth & Sports, Malawi;

21) Hon. Timoth Pagonachi Mtambo, Minister Of Civic Education & National Unity, Malawi;

22) Hon. Dr. Kalumbi Shangula, Minister of Health & Social Services, Namibia;

23) Hon. Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu, State Minister for Health, Uganda;

24) Hon. Monica Mutsvangwa, Minister of Information & Broadcasting Publicity, Zimbabwe;

25) Hon. Sthembiso Nyoni, Minster of Women Affairs Small & Medium Enterprises, Zimbabwe;

26) Hon. Amon Murwira, Minister of Higher & Tertiary Education, Zimbabwe.

Let your voice be heard:

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www.merck-foundation.com

About Merck Foundation

The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. 

Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare and scientific research capacity and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. 

All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website. Please visit www.merck-foundation.com to read more. To know more, reach out to our social media: Merck Foundation; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Flicker

Cassien Tribunal Aungane, Editor

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