Dr. Rasha Kelej (3rd from left) with First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo (4th from right) with officials from Accra Technical Institute and College of Creative Design
Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, has launched the ‘Merck More Than A Mother’ fashion awards, in partnership with First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo.
The awards, to be held in collaboration with the Accra Technical Institute and College of Creative Design, will tackle stigma associated with infertility in Ghana and Africa as a whole.
Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation & President of ‘Merck More Than A Mother’, who spoke at the launch said, “I love fashion and I strongly believe that we will be able to select a creative design or designs that men and/or women would be proud to wear to show their contribution toward breaking the infertility stigma in their communities, villages, cities, across Africa and the rest of the world.”
She added that fashion design students in fashion colleges are requested by the awards to create a design with the aim to deliver strong and influential messages to empower infertile women and say ‘no to infertility stigma’.
“Designers it’s time to showcase your talent and contribute towards making a difference in society with your unique creations,” Dr. Kelej highlighted.
She further observed that the best 10 submissions will be selected by ‘Merck More Than A Mother’ committee.
“Winners will be granted $500 each to execute their designs and will have an opportunity to exhibit them during the Merck Africa Asia Luminary which will be conducted in Ghana on the 29th and 30th of October in presence of more than 15 African First Ladies and 1000 participants from more than 60 countries,” she indicated.
The applicants are requested to send the sketches of their creations as an attachment on email: info@merck-foundation.com. The closing date for applications is June 30, 2019.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri