- Your Excellency, the President of the Republic of The Gambia - Excellencies, My Sister First Ladies of Africa - Honourable Ministers - Our Esteemed Partners – the Chairman and CEO of Merck Foundation - Merck Foundation Partners and Alumni - Members of the Media - Distinguished Guests - Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning, It is a great honour to welcome you all here, not just as individuals, but as powerful partners united by a shared goal, a healthier and more empowered future for our nations. Let me begin by warmly welcoming my sister First Ladies, the Merck Foundation team and all our esteemed guests to The Gambia, the Smiling Coast of Africa. Today, as we convene for the 12th edition of the Africa-Asia Luminary, we gather as sisters, advocates and champions of progress. Together, we will reflect on our shared commitment to strengthening health systems, building the capacity of our healthcare professionals, promoting responsible journalism, and supporting the next generation of African leaders and caregivers.

Sisterhood, in its truest sense, is rooted in love, support, unity, and mutual respect. As First Ladies, we are not only symbolic figures, we are mothers, caregivers and servants with a unique platform to uplift the voices of the vulnerable and marginalized, ensuring that no one is left behind. When we talk about health, we are talking about the most fundamental human right, the right to life, dignity and well-being. Health is not merely the absence of illness, but the presence of opportunity, the chance for every individual to live a full, productive and dignified life. That is why strategic partnerships like the one we share with the Merck Foundation are so crucial. Our collaboration has played a pivotal role in advancing healthcare in The Gambia and across Africa. Together, we have made strides in empowering health professionals through specialized training, ensuring they are better equipped to deliver quality care to those who need it most. About a hundred Gambian doctors have been provided scholarships over the years, to strengthen our public healthcare sector and building a stronger medical workforce for the future. The scholarships ranging from diplomas to post-graduate levels, were in vital fields including Oncology, Fertility and Embryology, Sexual and Reproductive Care, Respiratory Care, Acute medicine, Infectious Diseases and Paediatrics and Child Health amongst others. A key pillar in health system development is ensuring that our doctors, nurses, midwives, and technicians are supported through continuous education and access to resources. Sadly, we still witness too many of our healthcare workers being overburdened and under-resourced. It is through partnerships with philanthropic organisations like Merck Foundation that we can continue to uplift these professionals, raising awareness around various diseases and improving health outcomes across the continent. On behalf of The Gambia, our sister First Ladies, and indeed all of Africa, I extend my deepest gratitude to the Chairman, CEO, and the entire Merck Foundation family for your tireless work, unwavering support and firm dedication. Through our joint initiatives, scholarships, and mentorship programs, a new generation of African healthcare professionals is rising, equipped to serve their communities with excellence, compassion and skill.

Ladies and Gentlemen, As First Ladies, many of us continue to champion programs focused on the well-being of women, children, and youth. For me personally, the health and empowerment of girls and women remain a top priority.

I have been deeply involved in efforts to improve access to quality healthcare in The Gambia, especially in the areas of maternal and neonatal health. Equally important is the role of the media in shaping public perception and behavior, particularly when it comes to health. In the information age today, the responsibility that lies with our journalists is immense. They have the power to inform, educate, and inspire action, but they must be well-equipped to do so ethically and accurately. We have seen how misinformation can cost lives, especially during pandemics and disease outbreaks. The reason for which, I strongly support initiatives that provide training for responsible health journalism, which is being organized as part of this Conference sessions. Let us continue to empower the media with the knowledge and tools to deliver fact-based, life-saving information to the public.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, I sincerely thank my sister First Ladies for honoring us with your presence here in The Gambia. I also thank the Merck Foundation for selecting The Gambia as the host country for this year’s prestigious event. You are always warmly welcome here, and I hope your time in our beautiful country is both productive and memorable. I extend heartfelt appreciation to all who contributed to the success of this event, as well as to the Government and people of The Gambia for the warm hospitality extended to our guests. Though we may be First Ladies, we are, first and foremost, compassionate people with a responsibility to act, to amplify the voices of those in need and to give them hope for a better future. As African sisters, let us continue to align our efforts with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to eradicate poverty, promote health and education, and achieve gender equality. We must nurture stronger bonds of collaboration across borders to bring about lasting transformation. The need to learn from each other, support one another and work in solidarity is critical if we are to overcome our shared challenges. The role of women in peace, development and progress across Africa must be cherished and nurtured. It is only by standing together for a common cause, that we can truly make a difference. Once again, I thank you all for visiting the Smiling Coast of Africa. Thank you.