Merck Foundation CEO announced call for application of 2025 Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards in partnership with African First Ladies - apply now at submit@merck-foundation.com
LILONGWE, Malawi, May 15, 2025/APO Group/ --
Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, in partnership with the First Ladies of Africa, proudly announced the Winners of their Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition Awards 2024 under the categories “More Than a Mother” and “Diabetes and Hypertension”.

Merck Foundation announces Media Winners of their More Than a Mother and Lifestyle Awards 2024

Merck Foundation announces Media Winners of their More Than a Mother and Lifestyle Awards 2024 (1)

Merck Foundation announces Media Winners of their More Than a Mother and Lifestyle Awards 2024 (2)

Merck Foundation announces Media Winners of their More Than a Mother and Lifestyle Awards 2024 (3)

Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards Diabetes & Hypertension Asia Countries

Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards Diabetes & Hypertension Eastern African Countries

Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards Diabetes & Hypertension French Speaking African Countries

Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards Diabetes & Hypertension Latin America Countries

Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards Diabetes & Hypertension Southern African Countries

Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards Diabetes & Hypertension West African Countries

Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards More Than a Mother East African Countries

Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards More Than a Mother French Speaking Countries

Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards More Than a Mother Portuguese Speaking African Countries

Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards More Than a Mother Southern African Countries

Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards More Than a Mother West African Countries
The Awards Ceremony was conducted virtually to honor and celebrate the outstanding contributions of all the winning media professionals. The winners were warmly acknowledged by Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of the “More Than a Mother” campaign.
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej expressed, “I am truly happy to announce the winners of our Media Awards, together with my dear sisters, The First Ladies of Africa, who are also the Ambassadors of the Merck Foundation ‘More Than a Mother’ Campaign. This year, we are delighted to celebrate 125 outstanding winners from 36 countries. It brings me joy to see such impressive participation not only from across Africa but also from several Asian and Latin American countries. Congratulations to all our incredible winners!
It is a true pleasure to welcome you all as Merck Foundation Alumni. Let’s continue to work together to raise awareness about critical social and health challenges, be the voice of the voiceless, and create culture shift in our communities.”
Merck Foundation Media Awards launched in 2017, are announced annually, with over 640 Winners from 52 countries celebrated to date.
The theme of the “More Than a Mother” Media Awards is to raise awareness about important social issues like: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending Female Genital Mutilation and/or Stopping Gender-Based Violence. The theme of the “Diabetes and Hypertension” Media Awards is to Promote a Healthy Lifestyle and raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.
The Merck Foundation CEO also launched the Call for Applications for the 2025 Media Awards. “I am pleased to invite entries for the Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards 2025 – “More Than a Mother” & “Diabetes and Hypertension”, in partnership with the African First Ladies. I look forward to receiving another outstanding round of impactful entries this year as well.” Said Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej.
Winners of Merck Foundation "More Than a Mother" Media Recognition Awards 2024
Here are the winners from West African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia, H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW; and The First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, H.E. Dr. FATIMA MAADA BIO:
PRINT CATEGORY WINNER
- Jennifer Ambolley, The Chronicle, Ghana (First Position)
- Mackie Muctarr Jalloh, News Times Daily, Sierra Leone (Second position)
- Alao Abiodun, The Nation, Nigeria (Second position)
ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS
- Dzifa Tetteh Tay, The Spectator, Ghana (First Position)
- Laudia Sawer, Ghana News Agency, Ghana (First Position)
- Nyima Sillah, The Voice, The Gambia (Second Position)
- Isatou Ceesay, The Gambia Point, The Gambia (Third Position)
- Abigail Arthur, Citi Newsroom, Ghana (Third Position)
- Odimegwu Onwumere, The Nigerian Voice, Nigeria (Third Position)
RADIO CATEGORY WINNER
- Mavis Offei Acheampong, GBC Radio, Ghana (First Position)
- Joyce Kantam Kolamong, GBC Radio, Ghana(Second Position)
- Zainab Sunkary Koroma, Star Radio, Sierra Leone (Third Position)
MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS
- Tolulope Adeleru-Balogun, News Central TV, Nigeria (First Position)
- Alieu Ceesay, QTV, The Gambia (Second Position)
- Mona Lisa Frimpong, Joy News, Ghana (Third Position)
Here are the Winners from Southern African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of the Republic of Malawi, H.E. Mrs. MONICA CHAKWERA; The First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe, H.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA:
PRINT CATEGORY WINNERS
- Precious Kumbani, The Nation, Malawi (First Position)
- Gresham Ngwira, Freelancer, Malawi (Second Position)
- Simon Muntemba, Daily Nation, Zambia (Second Position)
- Charlotte Nambadja, The Namibian, Namibia (Third Position)
- Silence Mugadzaweta, The Standard, Zimbabwe (Third Position)
ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS
- Alain Kabinda, Daily News Agency, Zambia (First Position)
- Catherine Murombedzi, Freelancer, Zimbabwe (First Position)
- Alick Ponje, The Times, Malawi (second Position)
- Wallace Mawire, Pan African Visions, Zimbabwe (Second Position)
- Hamu Madzedze, 365 Health Diaries, Zimbabwe (Third Position)
- Kundai Michael Magoronga, Chronicle, Zimbabwe (Third Position)
- Mlondi Mkhize, Briefly News, South Africa (Third Position)
RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS
- Glendah Fadzai Takachicha, Capitalk FM, Zimbabwe (First Position)
- Tina Nyirenda, Smooth FM, Zambia (Second Position)
- Sylviah Chisi, Trans World Radio, Malawi (Second Position)
- Nyasha Mandimutsira, Capitalk FM, Zimbabwe (Third Position)
- Perina N. Wahara, PL FM, Malawi (Third Position)
MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS
- Keneilwe Pono, YTV, Botswana (First Position)
- Taati Niilenge, The Namibian, Namibia (Second Position)
- Lame Lucas, YTV, Botswana (Third Position)
Here are the winners from East African Countries:
PRINT CATEGORY WINNERS
- Elizabeth Angira, People Daily, Kenya (First Position)
- Marco Maduhu, Nipashe, Tanzania (Second Position)
- Margaret Maina, Nation Media, Kenya (Second Position)
- Beatrice Philemon Mukocho, The Guardian, Tanzania (Third Position)
- Vitus Audax, The Guardian, Tanzania (Third Position)
ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS
- Kamau Maichuhie, Nation Online, Kenya (First Position)
- Isabella Maua Chemosit, Freelancer, Kenya (Second Position)
- Anne Robi, Daily News, Tanzania (Second Position)
- Nteza Michael, UG Standard, Uganda (Third Position)
- Benjamin Takpiny, Anadolu Agency, South Sudan (Third Position)
- Ayele Addis Ambelu, Ethiopian Mass Media Action News, Ethiopia (Third Position)
RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS
- Caren Waraba Sisya, Radio Citizen, Kenya (First Position)
- Mamer Abraham Kuot, Voice of America, South Sudan, (Second Position)
- Mwanaisha Makumbuli, Highlands FM, Tanzania (Second Position)
- Fatuma Mustapha Mtemangani, Pambazuko FM, Tanzania (Third Position)
- Daniel Byiringiro, Flash FM, Rwanda (Third Position)
MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNER
- Rose Wangui, NTV Kenya, Kenya (First Position)
- Andrew Juma, TV47, Kenya (Second Position)
- Leonard Kigozi and Isabel Nakirya, CGTN Africa, Uganda (Third Position)
- Mackriner Siyovelwa, Crown Media, Tanzania (Third Position)
Here are the winners from French Speaking African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of the Republic of Burundi, H.E. Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE; The First Lady of Democratic Republic of the Congo, H.E. Madam DENISE NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI:
PRINT CATEGORY WINNER
- Issa Moussa, Niger Times, Niger (First Position)
- Koami Agbetiafa, Niger Inter Press Group, Niger (Second Position)
ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS
- AZODODASSI Mêmèdé Ambroisine, Savoir News, Togo (First Position)
- Julio Gada, Global News, Benin (Second Position)
- Boris Esono Nwenfor, Pan African Visions, Cameroon (Third Position)
- Bakari Guèye, Initiatives News, Mauritania (Third Position)
- Frimo Koukou Djipro, Lelus, Côte d'Ivoire (Third Position)
RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS
- Remy RUKUNDO, Radio TV Buntu, Burundi (First Position)
- Magnus MFURANZIMA, ISÔKO FM, Burundi (First Position)
- Mame Mbagnick DIOUF, Radio Oxyjeunes, Senegal (Second Position)
- Tanko Worou, Radio SU TII DERA, Benin (Second Position)
- Moussa KONE, Radio Channel 2, Mali (Third Position)
MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS
- Matthias KABUYA TSHILUMBA, RTDK, DRC (First Position)
Here are the winners from Portuguese Speaking African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of the Republic of Cabo Verde, H.E. Dr. DÉBORA KATISA CARVALHO:
ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS
- Edisângela Tavares, Expresso das Ilhas, Cabo Verde (First Position)
- Sheilla Ribeiro, Sociedade, Cabo Verde (Second Position)
RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS
- Teresa Monteiro Pinto, Rádio Televisão de Cabo Verde, Cabo Verde (First Position)
MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS
- Ângelo Semedo, Deutsche Welle, Cabo Verde (First Position)
Merck Foundation "Diabetes & Hypertension" Media Recognition Awards 2024
Here are the winners from West African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia, H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW; and The First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, H.E. Dr. FATIMA MAADA BIO:
PRINT CATEGORY WINNER
- Agnes Opoku Saprong, Ghanaian Times, Ghana (First Position)
- Patience Ivie Ihejirika, Leadership Newspaper, Nigeria (Second Position)
ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS
- Muhammed Lamin Touray, Freelancer, The Gambia (First Position)
- Prince Owusu Asiedu, Adom Online, Ghana (Second Position)
- Lara Adejoro, The Punch, Nigeria (Third Position)
RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS
- Godwin Awuni Anafo, Odadee Radio, Ghana (First Position)
MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNER
- Emmanuel Dzivenu Seyram Abla De-Souza, Joy TV, Ghana (First Position)
- Ezedimbu Karen Ogomegbunem, Africa Independent Television, Nigeria, (Second Position)
- Lois Abba Sambo, Abuja Broadcasting Corporation, Nigeria (Third Position)
- Akua Oforiwa Darko, TV3, Ghana (Third Position)
Here are the Winners from Southern African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of the Republic of Malawi, H.E. Mrs. MONICA CHAKWERA; The First Lady of the Republic of Zambia, H.E. Mrs. MUTINTA HICHILEMA; The First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe, H.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA:
PRINT CATEGORY WINNER
- Nancy Kefilwe Ramokhua, The Patriot, Botswana (First Position)
- Matilda Chimwaza Majawa, Times Group, Malawi (Second Position)
ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS
- June Shimuoshili, Unwrap Online, Namibia (First Position)
- Tendai Chisiri, Sport Way News Net, Zimbabwe (Second Position)
- Shireen van Wyk, Shay Blogger, Namibia (Third Position)
- Prince Kurupati, Pan African Visions, Zimbabwe (Third Position)
RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS
- Elvis Howahowa, Times Radio, Malawi (First Position)
- Stella Mlotha, Trans World Radio, Malawi (Second Position)
Here are the winners from East African Countries:
PRINT CATEGORY WINNER
- Lucy Johnbosco, Mwananchi, Tanzania (First Position)
- Christina Mwakangale, Nipashe, Tanzania (Second Position)
ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS
- Joan Mbabazi, The New Times, Rwanda (First Position)
- Leon Lidigu, Nation Online, Kenya (Second Position)
- Namwalo Daniel Absalom, Kenya News Agency, Kenya (Third Position)
- Angela Kezengwa, Citizen Digital, Kenya (Third Position)
- Veronica Mrema, M24 Tanzania, Tanzania (Third Position)
RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS
- Kintu Khalid, Radio Simba, Uganda (First Position)
- Asha Bekidusa, Bahari FM, Kenya (Second Position)
MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNER
- Walter Mwesigye, NTV, Uganda (First Position)
- Edvesta Tarimo, Tumaini Media, Tanzania (Second Position)
Here are the winners from French Speaking African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of the Republic of Burundi, H.E. Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE; and The First Lady of Democratic Republic of the Congo, H.E. Madam DENISE NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI:
PRINT CATEGORY WINNERS
- Konan N’Guessan Attoumgbre Joseph, La Retraite Active, Côte d'Ivoire (First Position)
- Nkurunziza Moise, Le Renouveau, Burundi (Second Position)
ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS
- Bahwa Ferdinand, Le Journal Africa, Burundi (First Position)
- Abdoulaye Ouédraogo, Queen Mafa, Burkina Faso (Second Position)
- Richard Manirakiza, l'Agence Burundaise de Presse, Burundi (Second Position)
- Mapote Gaye, Infomedia27, Senegal (Second Position)
- Atha Menssan Woffa Assan, Focus Infos, Togo (Third Position)
- Catherine Aimée Biloa, Échos Santé, Cameroon (Third Position)
- Nadège Omoladé SANNY, SRTB Online, Benin (Third Position)
RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS
- MVUYEKURE Jean Claude, Radio TV Buntu, Burundi (First Position)
- Abdoul Razak Sani Oumarou, Radio Saraounia Maradi, Niger (Second Position)
- Kabamba Ngalamulume Fabrice, Radio Télévision de l'éducation (RTEDUC), DRC (Third Position)
MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNER
- Chris IRAMBONA, Radio Television Buntu, Burundi (First Position)
Here are the winners from ASIAN Countries:
PRINT CATEGORY WINNER
- Parikshit Nirbhay, Amar Ujala, India (First Position)
- Revathi Murugappan, Star Health, Malaysia (Second Position)
- Pooja Biraia, The Week, India (Third Position)
ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS
- Rashe Zoe Sophia B Piquero, Cebu Daily News, Philippines (First Position)
- Roshan Bhandari, Medicoliterature, Nepal (Second Position)
- Crystal Chow, Undark Magazine, China (Third Position)
Here are the winners from LATIN AMERICA Countries:
ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS
- Adriana Becerra, Agencia Brunch, Mexico (First Position)
- Rafaela Polo, UOL, Brazil (Second Position)
MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNER
- Roxana Fabiola Lopresti, Channel 9 Televida, Argentina (First Position)
- Ana Paula Pedrosa, R7, Brazil (Second Position)
Details of Merck Foundation Media Awards 2025:
1. Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition “More Than a Mother” Awards 2025
Theme for the awards: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/or Stopping GBV at all levels.
Who can apply: Journalists from Print, Radio, Online, and Multimedia platforms from the following groups:
- Southern African Countries
- West African Countries
- East African Countries
- French Speaking African Countries
- Portuguese Speaking African Countries
Submission deadline: 30th September 2025.
2. Merck Foundation Media Recognition “Diabetes & Hypertension” Awards 2025
Theme for the awards: Promoting a healthy lifestyle and raising awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.
Who can apply: Journalists from Print, Radio, Online, and Multimedia platforms from the following groups:
- Southern African Countries
- West African Countries
- East African Countries
- French Speaking African Countries
- Portuguese Speaking African Countries
- Latin American Countries
- Asian Countries
Submission deadline: 30th October 2025.
All entries are to be submitted to submit@merck-foundation.com.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.The Merck Foundation is dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need. While it collaborates with various partners, including governments to achieve its humanitarian goals, the foundation remains strictly neutral in political matters. It does not engage in or support any political activities, elections, or regimes, focusing solely on its mission to elevate humanity and enhance well-being while maintaining a strict non-political stance in all of its endeavors.
Your problem, amongst many, is that you bark too loud and bite too hard. A degree of grown up calmness, use of more mesaured tones and avoidance of bile-venting wherever possible usually helps in fruitful adult discourse.
The issue of the existential negotiations with Somalia, Turkey's role as a not-so neutral mediator(Ambassador Shinn, a man I hugely respect was wrong to claim Turkey is neutral) and who should best represent our cause are all important topics for dscussion but this is not the way to do it.
I think that atrocity and genocide works together. Atrocity is the subective and the genocide
is the objective. Atrocity is the adjective and genocide is the positive overall total analysis of
the heinous crimes committed. Yes, atrocity and yes genocide. IMO the Somaliland
negotiators did a wonderful job by using atrocities which genocide emanates from?
What will support genocide is ethnic cleansing against the people of Somaliland.
The most important thing is the establised causes which the FGS side accepted.
The cleansing and Genocide are now clearly easier to define within the mainstream
framework of the atrocities committed on a mass scale. In the upcoming meetings
in Turkey, such more clarifications could be deliberated upon if necessary.
Contrary to the writers report, I think that the Somaliland delegation has done the best
that could come out in such circumstances of both sides and that everything looks so
far so good.
Cheers.
Qabi – if you do not understand between genocide and atrocity, pls shut up
My view Mr Cheers, is that pursuing this Atrocity vs Genocide issue, is leading us a blind alley. What is we are trying to achieve from it anyway? Lets say the non-govt in Mogadishu, accepted what hapepned was genocide. Then what?
Are we going to demand the handover the lliving perpetrators like Morgan? Do you believe the Hawiye-run non government who only survioces because of Ugandan tanks paid for America and Britain has got the strength, power or the inclination to hand anyone over?
On the downside by pursuing this issue we will divide ourselves, probabnly dangerously. The genocide was against Isaqs and committed by the Somalia State but if I were a Samaron Somalilander or Darod Somaliland hero like Colonel Mahad Ambashe, I will feel uncomfortable to say the least. In fact i might feel I or my clan is being accused.
So I will say lets drop this matter for the time being and focus on the future.
Kabocalaf told you before"no calaf for geeresh lover's" coming back to your point i totally disagree with you,this is not to please or make happy some clans in Somaliland or what not. It's about telling the truth on what really happen to those insect people who lost their life's because they are from this clan or that clan,
Isaaq,Samaroon,Darod, all Somalilanders have seen what happened in the past should never ever happen again. by doing that we have to accept the reality and talk openly as Somalilander.
Sorry i meant to say Innocent.
Ok Bullale. So we tell the truth. Somalland suffered genocide. Then what? How will this help us achieve our goals for survival, recognition and development?
You may not have noticed that I did not say we should forget about the genocide. Most certainly not. I am only saying what is the point in pursuing it in the current discussios with the Somalia in Turkey?
In my opinion I'm not sure that FGS would recognise the genocide done by milatary rule to Somalilanders. That was surely genocide not atrocity and that bunch technically alluded. BTW the negotiators couldn't satisfy each other to the main point , the deciders are Somalilanders and referendum will be on way soon or latter.
To Mead anything done by the current administration is bad. If a dame is built to irrigate his Gabiley farm that is bad, because his grandfather once sat there. If a road is built that is too bad for Mead , because it will eventually change to river. If you arrest Morgan and Maslah Afweyne that will be wrong, because they were friends with his cousin.
Damn if this administration does something and doom if it doesn't. This subject of atrocity vs genocide has been discussed here and in many place more than thousand times and people finally agreed that the two were the same. If the holocaust was good enough to be called an atrocity than what took place in Somaliland was an atrocity.
I think the thunderous weather in Ottawa has finally waken-up Mr. Mead. Who would he recommend to go with the delegation? may be Faisal A Warabe, who watered-down the previous agreement by insisting that it be signed by the ministers and the the two Presidents and latter on meet privately with Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud and others in the UAE and later attended the London dinner party for Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud.
The only time Mr. Mead said anything positive about Somaliland was when he met Hersi and wrote a long article entiteled: "Mr. Hersi the misunderstood hero". Perhaps Mr. Mead is bitter, because Hersi didn't help him to be appointed into a government job. We will soon find out.
lol@Shamis. Yes Mr Mead does whinge a bit doesnt he?
Mead, a former teacher of mine, said it well. What happened was absolutely genocide. Our government failed us and does not want to recognize this egregious error on its part. It is a well known fact Siilaanyo never accepts or admits his errs.
Instead of trying to debunk your argument logically they engage in personal attacks and name calling which points to their fragile level of maturity and intellect. The irony is that they don't even understand they are exposing the state and level of their intellect which is awfully shameful.
Somaliland delegations chose the best possible option in order to put the wheels on motion. Playing the blame card would only spark a stall-mate in negotiations. We should put these colluded legal terms and hair spilling aside for now and try to focus on the bigger issues.
And what is the bigger issue pal? Why care about stalling the negotiations if you are not winning anything at the end of the day and returning back home empty handed. Mead is not breaking down any administration putting things in their right perspective.
They chose the best possible option ha? Our option is Somalilanders is clear, and that's is Somaliland first and Somaliland always, so what's yours? osman Qaal or osman Gaal?
Have a wonderful night!
Ibrahim mead is just another sour loser who is mad that he wasnt included in the government thats why he always writes trash like this. Get a life
If Mead et al care soo much about what happened to us then let them stop constantly trying to break down this elected administration and instead start to work with it!
Make a difference by making suggestions and putting forth solutions and proof of wrong doing if you have it or get out of the mut h a fra cking way.