Merck Foundation has marked the 2026 World Art Day with a renewed push to address health and social challenges across Africa through creative platforms, including film, music, media and fashion.
The foundation said the initiative, implemented in partnership with the First Ladies of African countries, forms part of its “Art and Fashion with Purpose” community, which is also celebrating its sixth anniversary.
Speaking on the development, Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Rasha Kelej, said art and media remain powerful tools for driving awareness and cultural change.
According to her, the platform has continued to engage creatives across more than 25 countries, focusing on key issues such as infertility stigma, girl-child education, gender-based violence, child marriage and female genital mutilation.
She added that the initiative also promotes awareness of non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, hypertension and cancer, while encouraging healthier lifestyles.
“As we mark World Art Day, we reaffirm our belief that art, fashion and media can drive meaningful change. Through our community, we empower creatives to use their talents to educate and influence society,” she said.
A major component of the programme is the annual Merck Foundation Awards, which recognise outstanding contributions in film, music, fashion and journalism.
The awards, organised in collaboration with African First Ladies, focus on two broad themes—addressing social issues such as women empowerment and education, and promoting health awareness, particularly early detection and prevention of diseases.
Since inception, the foundation said it has recognised 175 winners from 25 countries, including fashion designers, musicians and filmmakers whose works have contributed to social advocacy.
The winners include 102 fashion award recipients, 53 song award winners and 20 film award honourees, reflecting a growing pool of African creative talent engaged in development communication.
Merck Foundation also highlighted its pan-African television programme, Our Africa by Merck Foundation, which showcases stories and perspectives from across the continent through fashion, music and expert discussions.
The programme, conceptualised and co-hosted by Kelej, has been broadcast on major television stations across Africa and is also available on digital platforms.
In addition, the foundation has produced over 30 songs in multiple languages, as well as children’s storybooks and animation films aimed at raising awareness on social and health issues at the grassroots level.
Stakeholders say the use of creative industries to address development challenges is gaining traction, particularly in Africa where storytelling, music and fashion play a central role in shaping public perception.
They noted that such initiatives can complement traditional awareness campaigns by reaching wider audiences and encouraging community-level engagement.
Entries for the 2026 edition of the awards have been opened, with the foundation calling on emerging talents across Africa to participate.
Observers say sustained collaboration between development organisations and creative communities could play a critical role in advancing public health awareness and social change across the continent.