He said African musicians such as Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela, forced into exile by the apartheid regime that governed South Africa then, also released music critical of apartheid, and this music had a significant impact on Western popular culture, contributing to the ‘moral outrage’ over apartheid.

He continued that “music continues to be used in the advertising of different product brands by marketers, for health promotion and advocacy on different human rights issues.  The same can be said about film, theatre and poetry.”

Merck Foundation has been working at all levels to brings in a cultural shift in the African society, and in October during the 6th Africa Asia Luminary held in Accra, Ghana, launched a Ghanaian duet of Cwesi Oteng and Adina in pursuance of the ‘More than a mother campaign’ - Cwesi is an award-winning Ghanaian gospel artiste and songwriter while Adina is a Ghanaian-South African singer, songwriter, actress who also models.

Ahead of the Cwesi/Adina duet Zambian soul singer, Wezi, had taken to the airwaves with a new hit ‘Chumba’ in collaboration with Merck; she told the media following the release of a music video to the song that “I am a social commentary artist and soul music is one of those genres that elevates human consciousness and digs deep human emotion.”

Another song composed, sung and produced by the First Lady of Burundi, Denise Nkurunziza, in support of the ‘More than a mother’ campaign has also been released; the video of the song was also officially launched at the Africa Asia Luminary in Ghana in October.

The song 'Plus Qu'une Mere' is an empowering French song, this rendition pleads for courtesy to all infertile women in Burundi and across the breadth of Africa.

Also in 2019 the Foundation, together with the First Lady of Gambia, Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, released an empowering song as part of the awareness campaign - the song was written and composed by Sunita, a young female artist from Gambia.

Merck Foundation is a philanthropic organization that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and to advance their lives through science and technology.  Its efforts are primarily focused on improving access to innovative healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare and scientific research capacity and empowering people with a special focus on women and youth.

The foundation raises awareness of disease prevention and early detection through access to information, health and change of mindset, expanding professional capabilities in scientific research, technology and healthcare.

Lesotho’s First Lady, Dr ‘Maesaiah Thabane has recently been appointed Lesotho’s ‘More than a mother’ initiative ambassador, an effort by the Foundation to raise awareness on disease prevention and early detection through access to information, health and change of mindset.

The initiative further expands professional capabilities in scientific research, technology and healthcare, and builds advocacy to address health, social and economic solutions.