On the invitation of the Merck Foundation, a non-profit organisation in Germany, First Lady Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo joined 14 other First Ladies on 31 March 2019 in Dubai to discuss best implementation strategies for reducing infertility stigma, improving the capacity of health care delivery systems to provide care in diabetes, hypertension and oncology in women.

As an ambassador for the “Merck More Than a Mother,” campaign, Mrs Akufo-Addo said: “I'm wholly committed to eliminating the stigma of infertility.”

In Ghana, Merck Foundation has launched various competitive initiatives to enable the use of media, music, fashion and art to reduce infertility stigma.

“Merck More Than a Mother” initiative aims to empower infertile women through access to information, education and health and by changing mind-sets.

The initiative supports governments in defining policies to enhance access to regulated, safe and effective fertility care.

The initiative also defines interventions to break the stigma around infertile women and raises awareness about infertility prevention and management. In partnership with academia, ministries of health and international fertility societies, the initiative further provides medical education and training for healthcare providers and embryologists to build and advance fertility care capacity in Africa and developing countries.

With “Merck More than a mother”, the foundation has initiated a cultural shift to de-stigmatise infertility on all levels by improving awareness, training the skills of local experts, building advocacy in cooperation with decision makers and by supporting childless women in starting their own small business.

The motive is to give every woman the respect and the help she deserves to live a fulfilling life, with or without a child.