Accra: Dr Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, has been acknowledged among the '100 Most Impactful Voices 2026' by ABCD Africa. This recognition celebrates influential women of African descent who utilize their platforms to inspire change and drive meaningful impact across communities, including prominent figures from 54 African countries such as the President of Tanzania. The list was released on International Women's Day 2026, adding to Dr Kelej's series of international accolades.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr Kelej's recognition underscores her dedication to women's empowerment, girls' education, and improving healthcare access across Africa. She was recently named among the '100 Most Influential Africans 2025' by New African Magazine and has been recognized as one of the '100 Most Influential African Women' by Avance Media for seven consecutive years. These accolades reflect her commitment to various social initiatives and leadership.
Dr Kelej expressed her gratitude for the recognition, stating: "I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition and to be included in the '100 Most Impactful Voices 2026' list." She acknowledged ABCD Africa for recognizing her work over the past 14 years in building healthcare capacity, transforming patient care, breaking infertility stigma, empowering women, and supporting girl education. Dr Kelej also congratulated other honorees, emphasizing the importance of using their voices to inspire positive change.
Jok© Pearl Oyebamiji, Founder of ABCD Africa, highlighted the significance of amplifying women's voices, stating: "This list is about more than recognition-it's a movement." The list includes women reshaping industries and tackling major challenges across platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, among others, aiming to spark conversations that drive action.
Under Dr Kelej's leadership, Merck Foundation has transformed healthcare in Africa, providing over 2,500 scholarships to healthcare providers from more than 52 countries. Dr Kelej also spearheaded the 'Merck Foundation More Than a Mother' campaign, collaborating with First Ladies across Africa and Asia to combat infertility stigma and empower women.
In partnership with African First Ladies, the Foundation has awarded more than 1,200 annual scholarships to underprivileged African schoolgirls, helping them achieve their academic potential. Dr Kelej's initiatives also include the 'Art and Fashion with Purpose' community, addressing issues such as gender-based violence and female genital mutilation.
Merck Foundation's impact extends to media training, song and film production, and the creation of children's storybooks and animation films to raise awareness on health and social issues. The Foundation operates 15 social media channels, engaging over 8.5 million followers, and broadcasts the 'Our Africa by Merck Foundation' television program to address social and health issues across the continent.