Merck Foundation Honours First Lady Lordina Mahama for Decade of Humanitarian Impact

Accra, Ghana – May 19, 2026 – Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, recognized First Lady Lordina Mahama as its Ambassador during the Merck Foundation Ghana Alumni Summit 2026 held at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra. The honour celebrates over a decade of impactful humanitarian work by the Lordina Foundation, led by Mrs. Mahama, focusing on education, health, and women’s empowerment in deprived communities.

Transforming Lives Through Philanthropy

Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, and Professor Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of the Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, jointly presented the award. Dr. Kelej highlighted Mrs. Mahama’s extensive efforts in transforming lives across Ghana. These initiatives include crucial support services in education and healthcare for vulnerable populations.

The Lordina Foundation, a long-standing partner of Merck Foundation, has been instrumental in providing medical training scholarships to Ghanaian doctors. This has enabled numerous physicians to specialize and return to serve their communities with advanced medical expertise.

Empowering Women and Girls

Beyond healthcare, Mrs. Mahama’s foundation champions girls’ education and women’s empowerment. Programs like the “More Than a Mother” campaign and the “Educating Linda” initiative aim to break cycles of poverty.

By actively fighting child marriage and promoting access to education, the foundation has created significant opportunities for young girls and their families. These efforts contribute to lifting families out of poverty and fostering brighter futures.

Supporting Media and Future Leaders

Mrs. Mahama also received commendation for her support of the Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards. These awards encourage journalists across Africa and Asia to raise awareness and reframe narratives around critical social issues, such as infertility stigma and the importance of women’s empowerment.

In her acceptance remarks, Mrs. Mahama shared the tangible impact of these collaborations. She noted that scholarships provided by the Merck Foundation have empowered 40 Ghanaian medical professionals who are now delivering specialized care. Additionally, over 110 individuals have benefited from creative arts and ICT training programs.