By: Amr Galal
The sun was setting when I arrived at the Kotoka airport in Ghana's capital Accra. Continuous showers accompanied by high temperatures are the nature of African tropical countries.
I love African lands, bright white smiles and pure hearts like the unspoiled nature that has not yet been polluted by the momentum of industrial progress.
Ghana, which is located along the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean, in the sub-region of West Africa, has not forgotten its leaders, who struggled against colonialism.
Among those leaders, who dug their name into the hearts and minds of many Africans, are Late Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser and Ghanaian leader Kwame Nkrumah, who both believed that the people of Africa would win their freedom, presenting a brighter future for the continent.
A few days ago, I received an invitation to attend the 6th edition of Merck Africa Asia conference in Ghana to discuss the future of health, education, and innovation in the continent.
Coincidentally, the relations between Egypt and Ghana date back to the era of national liberation, which witnessed particularly strong relations between the two sister countries.
One day in 1957, President Nkrumah was visiting a church in Egypt. There he saw the girl "Fathia" and was impressed by her personality and beauty, deciding immediately to engage her after he knew her name and address.
The next day, Nkrumah proposed to the Egyptian girl's mother but, she rejected, fearing her daughter would travel and leave her.
On the third day, the bell rang at the house of Fathia. Her mother opened the door to find President Nasser in front of her. Nasser asked the mother for the reasons behind her refusal.
I am afraid my daughter would travel far away and I would not be able to see her again, she said.
Nasser told her that he had decided to open an embassy in Accra, adding that there would be direct flights between the two capitals.
On January 1, 1958, the wedding took place in Egypt. Within a few months, Fathia became the first lady of Ghana, giving birth to three sons, Gamal, Samia and Nabil, and Samia.
Fathia was later named "Bride of the Nile" for her role in strengthening relations between African nations.
The future of Africa
Minutes after breakfast, the conference was inaugurated by Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, his wife Rebecca along with Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck International Charity Foundation.
The first session witnessed the participation of nine wives of African leaders and ministers in the field of higher education, scientific research and health on the African continent.
The two-day sessions reviewed some of the international experiences and expertise in various sectors to help build the capacity of education and health care, providing the necessary training to establish a strong platform of experts in the field of diabetes, hypertension, cancer care and fertility in African countries.
At the opening session, Professor Frank Stenberg, Chairman of Merck International, and a number of experts discussed ways to contribute to Africa's social and economic development.
Bride of the Nile
Nowadays, there is a new "Bride of the Nile" and the mastermind behind this important African conference and many development initiatives in the continent.
Rasha Kelej is the first Egyptian woman to be selected to head one of the largest non-profit charities in Germany and Europe, the Merck International Charity Foundation.
She has won many titles and awards from several African countries for her interest in the issues of the continent.
Kelej has been able to implement charitable and developmental plans in the poorest and neediest areas in Africa, including development projects in areas of armed conflict and villages with serious epidemic diseases.
She also persuaded 15 of the African presidents' wives to become ambassadors of her campaign titled "More Than Just a Mother". It is something that works to fight it
The campaign formed a lifeline for a tragedy experienced by women in Africa as a result of a misunderstanding of the causes of infertility, which leads to the torture of sterile women and cutting off her limbs.
The conference was attended by over 1,000 healthcare providers, policymakers, academics and researchers from Africa.
Sessions on educational and social development were held with the participation of education ministers and lectures by international experts on diabetes, fertility, oncology, women's health, and heart disease to raise health awareness, improve disease management, early detection, and prevention.
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