”Merck Foundation and First ladies of Ghana, Namibia and Zambia recognized winners of “More than a Mother
The 21 winners of 2020 across the three countries have been recognized for their extraordinary creative designs that deliver strong and influential messages to empower infertile women
WINDHOEK, Namibia, -Teleghraph: Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, announced the winners of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother FASHION AWARDS 2020 from Ghana, Namibia and Zambia.
The awards are by Merck Foundation in partnership with the First Lady of Ghana, H.E. Mrs. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO; the First Lady of Namibia, H.E. Mrs. MONICA GEINGOS and the First Lady of Zambia, H.E. Mrs. ESTHER LUNGU, who are also the Ambassadors of ‘Merck Foundation More Than a Mother’.
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother emphasized, “Big congratulations to the 21 winners of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother Fashion Awards 2020. We launched these awards in partnership with our long-term partners and my dear sisters; H.E. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO, The First Lady of Ghana; H.E. MONICA GEINGOS, The First Lady of Namibia; and H.E. ESTHER LUNGU, The First Lady of Zambia. I am thankful for their support and contribution as Ambassadors of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother. In 2021 we have launched the fashion awards in partnership with 20 Africa first ladies to give opportunity for these countries however the awards are open for all countries. The 21 winners of 2020 across the three countries have been recognized for their extraordinary creative designs that deliver strong and influential messages to empower infertile women and say ‘No to Infertility Stigma’ and create meaningful fashion trends to educate their communities that ‘Fertility is a Shared Responsibility.”
Merck Foundation More Than a Mother Fashion Awards 2020 winners are rewarded with $500 each to execute and showcase their winning designs so that people can have the opportunity to wear them and build advocacy to break the Infertility stigma for women and men.
Merck Foundation appreciates the creativity of winners and considers it to be instrumental to break the silence and be the voice of the voiceless in the communities, hence, Merck Foundation additionally rewarded all the winners with one year of access to an online educational training program called “MasterClass”. The MasterClass is an immersive online experience and self-paced learning course in English that can be accessed anywhere within the Internet network.
“I encourage the winners to be the ‘Merck Foundation More Than A Mother Advocate’ to further empower infertile women and all women and girls in general and to eliminate infertility stigma. I also welcome them as valuable members of ’Merck Foundation Alumni’”, added Senator, Dr. Kelej.
Here is the list of Award Winners:
Here are the winners from Ghana in partnership with H.E. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO, The First Lady of Ghana and Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother.
GHANA
Leticia Ashie Owusu
Gifty Amonu Essel
Kizito Ronald Jr
Placid Leke
Anuja Bharti
Paul Akrofie
Desmond Nhyira Amankonah
Here are the winners from Namibia in partnership with H.E. MONICA GEINGOS, The First Lady of Namibia and Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother.
NAMIBIA
Linrico Humphries
Stephany-Lee Schmidt
Aina Shigwedha
Hope Gowera
Ndara Immanuel
Eugenia Benard
Paulton Luciano Witbooi
Here are the winners from Zambia in partnership with H.E. ESTHER LUNGU, The First Lady of Zambia and Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother.
ZAMBIA
Nelly Banda
Ruth chimbala
Cecilia Njobvu
Linda Ngwira
Naomi Soko
Gibstar makangila
Kasonde Makangila
“Together, with the fashion industry, we would continue to play an instrumental role in eliminating the infertility stigma and empowering women in education and at all levels. I hope to receive many such outstanding entries from all African designers and students for our Merck Foundation Fashion Awards “More Than a Mother” 2021, announced in partnership with 20 African First Ladies”, explained Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej.
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