By Nelson Manneh
The First Lady of The Gambia, Madam Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, announced on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, that The Gambia will host the 12th edition of the Mark Foundation Annual Conference. The landmark event, scheduled for October 14th and 15th, 2025, will bring together influential First Ladies from across Africa and Asia, along with key partners, to discuss strategies and share insights on the measurable impact of the Mark Foundation’s long-standing health and research programs.
Madam Bah-Barrow made the announcement during the inauguration of the Mark Foundation First Ladies Initiative (MFFLI) Summit, a high-level platform designed to unite African and Asian First Ladies in their collective effort to improve health systems across their nations. The summit serves as a space for sharing successful strategies, raising awareness, and evaluating the tangible outcomes of the Foundation’s global partnerships.
The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research, established in 2017 by philanthropist Alex Knaster, has played a significant role in transforming the landscape of cancer research worldwide. With a focus on accelerating pioneering research in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, the foundation works as a public charity, collaborating with scientists globally and investing in early-stage cancer diagnostics and therapeutics companies.
The Gambia’s First Lady emphasized the synergy between her government’s priorities and the objectives of the Mark Foundation. She noted that many of her efforts have been centered on improving access to quality healthcare for Gambians, particularly women and children—a vision closely aligned with the Mark Foundation’s goal of strengthening healthcare systems across Africa.
“Mark’s ongoing efforts to build the capacities of our doctors, particularly in specialized fields, is a vital program that supports my mission to ensure all Gambians have access to quality education and healthcare,” Madam Bah-Barrow stated. “Their contributions help reinforce our health system by enabling our healthcare professionals to provide accurate diagnoses, effective treatment, and other essential services. This collaboration has already made a lasting impact on our healthcare system.”
Since its inception, the Mark Foundation has been instrumental in training Gambian healthcare professionals in critical fields such as fertility, sexual and reproductive health, diabetes, and infectious diseases. These training programs, she said, have played a crucial role in strengthening the country’s public health services and ensuring better care for its citizens.
“Together with the Mark Foundation, we have successfully trained Gambian doctors and healthcare professionals in vital areas,” Madam Bah-Barrow continued. “These efforts are helping to transform our health and care system, leaving an indelible mark on our nation’s progress. We deeply value this partnership and consider it essential to our nation’s future.”
The First Lady also highlighted the broader social initiatives supported by the Mark Foundation, which include tackling critical issues such as infertility, stigma, girls’ education, child marriage, female genital mutilation, gender-based violence, and chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension. These community awareness programs have reached thousands of people, fostering greater understanding and social change.
“My focus has always been to use education to promote gender equality and empower girls with the knowledge and tools they need to shape a brighter future for themselves, their families, and their communities,” Madam Bah-Barrow said. “By equipping girls with education, we’re not just improving individual lives, but we’re investing in the future of our entire nation.”
The upcoming Mark Foundation Annual Conference in The Gambia promises to further these efforts by bringing together global leaders and experts to discuss the pressing health challenges facing Africa and Asia today.
