The World Health Organization’s Regional Office for Africa has unveiled seven mid-career African women selected for the third cohort of the Mwele Malecela Mentorship Programme, a strategic initiative to develop female leadership in the fight against neglected tropical diseases. The two-year programme targets gender barriers in global health leadership while building capacity for NTD elimination across the continent.
Regional Distribution of Cohort III Mentees
Countries represented in the 2026-2028 programme cycle
Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa, 2026 | Georgian Medical Journal News
Academic and Research Leaders Drive Programme Diversity
The WHO Regional Office for Africa selected participants from diverse professional backgrounds spanning academia, field research, and programme implementation. Dr. Akua Obeng Forson from Ghana serves as Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana, while Dr. Menberework Chanyalew Negatu represents Ethiopia as a researcher at the Armauer Hansen Research Institute.
The cohort includes four participants from West Africa, demonstrating the region’s strong representation in NTD research capacity. Hannah Berrian from Liberia brings experience as Research Fellow at the UL-PIRE Africa Center, while Nigeria’s Nwanneka Udoye contributes field experience as Project Research Officer at RedAid Nigeria.
Central and East African Representation Strengthens Continental Reach
Central Africa’s contribution comes through Dr. Laure Stella Ghoma Linguissi from the Republic of Congo, who works as Research Officer at IRSSA Brazzaville. Cameroon adds scientific expertise through Dr. Lauve Rachel Tchokouaha Yamthe, a Research Scientist at IMPM Cameroon, while Mozambique’s Nelvina Mucato represents programme implementation as NTDs Coordinator at Sightsavers.
The programme’s gender-intentional approach addresses documented leadership gaps in global health governance. According to WHO data, women comprise fewer than 30% of senior leadership positions in NTD programme management across sub-Saharan Africa, despite representing the majority of frontline health workers.
Two-Year Programme Targets Leadership Skills and Global Networks
The Mwele Malecela Mentorship Programme provides participants with tailored leadership training, skill development opportunities, and access to global health platforms over the 2026-2028 cycle. The initiative aims to break gender barriers while fostering inclusive governance in neglected tropical disease elimination efforts.
Participants receive personalized mentoring from established leaders in the NTD community, combined with networking opportunities designed to advance their professional trajectories. The programme builds on lessons learned from previous cohorts, incorporating feedback to enhance leadership development outcomes for mid-career African women in global health.
The programme targets mid-career African women with demonstrated expertise in neglected tropical disease research and implementation, representing seven countries across three African regions.
— WHO Regional Office for Africa (Programme Overview, 2026)
Key takeaways
- Seven African women from Ghana, Liberia, Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Nigeria comprise Cohort III
- Participants represent diverse roles including university lecturers, research scientists, and programme coordinators
- The two-year programme runs from 2026-2028 with focus on leadership training and global networking
- West Africa contributes four participants, demonstrating regional strength in NTD research capacity
Frequently asked questions
What are neglected tropical diseases?
Neglected tropical diseases are a group of 20 conditions that primarily affect impoverished communities in tropical and subtropical areas. According to WHO, these diseases impact over 1.7 billion people globally, with the highest burden in sub-Saharan Africa.
How long is the Mwele Malecela Mentorship Programme?
The programme runs for two years, from 2026 to 2028. Participants receive ongoing mentorship, leadership training, and networking opportunities throughout this period.
Why does the programme focus specifically on women?
Women comprise fewer than 30% of senior leadership positions in NTD programmes across sub-Saharan Africa, despite representing the majority of frontline health workers. The programme addresses this gender gap through targeted leadership development.
The selection of Cohort III represents WHO’s continued commitment to developing diverse leadership pipelines for neglected tropical disease elimination across Africa. As these seven women advance through the programme, their enhanced skills and expanded networks will strengthen the continent’s capacity to address health equity challenges affecting vulnerable populations. The programme’s emphasis on inclusive governance and gender-intentional approaches positions participants to drive meaningful change in global health leadership over the coming decade.
Source: The Mwele Malecela Mentorship Programme – Cohort III
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Medically reviewed by Prof. Giorgi Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD. Spotted an error? Contact the editorial team.
