Merck Foundation , the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, has honoured Ghana’s First Lady, Mrs Lordina Dramani Mahama, as its Ambassador in recognition of the tremendous impact she has made over the past decade through her humanitarian organisation, the Lordina Foundation.
The recognition was jointly presented by Dr. Rasha Kelej , Chief Executive Officer of the Merck Foundation, and Professor Dr Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp , Chairman of the Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, during the Merck Foundation Ghana Alumni Summit 2026 held at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City on Tuesday, May 19.
In her remarks, Dr Rasha Kelej praised Mrs Lordina Dramani Mahama for her unwavering humanitarian efforts, noting that her interventions have transformed the lives of thousands of vulnerable people across Ghana.
According to her, the First Lady’s initiatives have provided education and healthcare support services to deprived communities while also promoting financial empowerment opportunities for women.
Through her philanthropic organisation, the Lordina Foundation, a long-standing partner of the Merck Foundation, Mrs Mahama has also facilitated medical training scholarships for Ghanaian doctors, empowering them to become specialised healthcare professionals and strengthen healthcare delivery in the country.
Dr Kelej further highlighted Mrs Mahama’s commitment to girls’ education through initiatives such as the “More Than a Mother” campaign and the “Educating Linda” programme, as well as her active advocacy against child marriage.
She noted that these interventions have helped lift several families out of poverty while creating brighter opportunities and a more hopeful future for children.
The First Lady was also commended for her continuous support for the annual Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards, an initiative designed to empower journalists across Africa and Asia to raise awareness and reshape public narratives surrounding critical social issues such as infertility stigma, maternal health, and women’s empowerment.
Responding to the honour, Mrs Lordina Dramani Mahama expressed profound appreciation to the Merck Foundation for what she described as a fruitful and impactful partnership that continues to transform lives across communities.
She disclosed that the foundation has invested in the development of future leaders by providing scholarships to 40 Ghanaian medical professionals who are now offering specialised healthcare services to patients across the country.
Additionally, Mrs Mahama revealed that the foundation has supported more than 110 beneficiaries through creative arts and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training programmes aimed at empowering young people with employable skills.
Referring to the beneficiaries of the Merck Foundation programme, Mrs Mahama said their inspiring and heartwarming testimonies continue to give her hope and fulfilment.
“My heart is truly grateful as I listen to the testimonies of the Merck Foundation Alumni. Their achievements offer hope that, with dedication, no one will be left behind,” the First Lady assured.
“Through health support, facility innovation, and economic empowerment initiatives, we have tried to reach the very heart of our communities. Whether it is a grandmother in a village in need of healthcare, a young girl dreaming of a classroom, or a woman seeking financial independence, our mission is to serve their dream for a better life,” she added.
Mrs Mahama also acknowledged the collaborative role played by the Merck Foundation since the partnership began and pledged her lifelong commitment to strengthening the relationship and working together to improve lives.
“It’s about a doctor who returned home to save lives. It’s about the journalists who write with an understanding of maternal health. It’s about the scholarship recipient who now sees herself as a future leader. This relates to the vision of our government under the leadership of President ,” she observed.
