Africa-America Institute to Award Its Highest Honor to President Festus Mogae of Botswana.

Business Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 6, 2002

-- National Leadership Award to be presented at AAI's 18th Annual Awards Dinner at UN

-- Mogae joins Nelson Mandela as only recipients of prestigious award

The Africa-America Institute will bestow its highest honor, the National Leadership Award, to His Excellency Festus Mogae, President of Botswana, at its 18th Annual Awards Dinner on Tuesday, September 17 at the United Nations. The award recognizes extraordinary leadership in the development and growth of Africa and has been presented only once before to former President Nelson Mandela of South Africa.

"President Mogae is a model of democratic, responsive and courageous political leadership," said Mora McLean, President of the Africa-America Institute (AAI). "Due largely to his vision and determination, Botswana has evolved from one of the poorest nations in Africa to one of the most prosperous. The people of Botswana, along with all who care about Africa, are inspired by President Mogae and are grateful for the enormous contribution he has made toward profound and lasting change."

The third president in Botswana's 35-year history, Mogae is particularly recognized for the leadership he has taken in the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS, a disease he says means "national sadness." Mogae's government is currently initiating an antiretroviral program, and through a variety of public-private partnerships has established the first laboratory and training devoted exclusively to the advanced study of HIV. Mogae is also lauded for the success of Botswana's diamond-based economy at a time when other African nations struggle with illegal diamond trade and the conflicts that result from it.

The AAI Annual Awards Dinner recognizes individuals in politics, business and the media who have made contributions to improving Africa's future by promoting increased engagement and education between Africa and the United States. In addition to honoring Mogae, AAI will present the following awards:

-- Distinguished Alumna Award -- Joy Phumaphi, Minister of Health for Botswana and distinguished graduate of AAI's African Higher Education and Training Program.

-- Lifetime Achievement Award in Media - Anthony Lewis, New York Times columnist who throughout his career has been distinguished among his peers in recognizing the importance of Africa to the world community.

-- Special Tribute - C. Payne Lucas, Co-founder of Africare, who has given 40 years distinguished service to African development.

-- Special Recognition for Business Enterprise - The Limited Brands which, with its subsidiary Mast Industries, was the first major apparel company to invest in Africa under the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to spur African manufacturing and entrepreneurial capacity.

The event will be emceed by Mpule Kwelagobe, 1999 Miss Universe and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Goodwill Ambassador for Botswana, and chaired by Raymond V. Gilmartin, Chairman, President and CEO of Merck & Co., Inc. Merck is one of several corporate sponsors of the event, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Citicorp/Citibank, Chevron Texaco Corporation, Coca-Cola Company, and H.J. Heinz Company.

"For nearly 50 years the Africa-America Institute has been at the forefront of building better communication, understanding and collaboration between the United States and Africa," Gilmartin said. "We at Merck congratulate AAI, President Mogae and all the honorees for their impressive work and unwavering dedication to encouraging the promise that Africa holds."

Merck and the Gates Foundation have collaborated with the Government of Botswana to establish the African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Partnerships (ACHAP), a public/private sector initiative that supports and enhances the government's response to the HIV epidemic in four strategic ways: prevention, care, support and treatment. The Gates Foundation and The Merck Company Foundation will each dedicate $50 million over five years toward the project. In addition, Merck is donating its antiretrovial medications for the duration of the partnership.

"Through our partnership with the government of Botswana and the Gates Foundation, we can find effective solutions in the long fight against this devastating disease - and make a difference for people in Botswana," Gilmartin added.

For further information and reservations to the AAI 18th Annual Award Dinner, contact AAI at [phone] or [e-mail], or visit http://www.ebenefits.org/aai/.

For press credentials or inquiries, contact Nicole Cottrill at [phone], ext. 329 or [e-mail].

About The Africa-America Institute

Founded in 1953, the Africa-America Institute is dedicated to promoting enlightened engagement between Africa and the United States through education, training and dialogue. A multi-racial, multi-ethnic, non-profit organization, AAI has offices in New York and Washington, D.C. and a presence in 50 nations in Africa. AAI focuses on the training of Africans in a strategically selected range of advanced skills, and in the education of Americans about Africa. AAI proudly counts more than 20,000 Africans as alumni of its graduate and professional training programs. AAI also serves as a reliable information source on Africa for U.S. decision-makers, bringing African people and perspectives into contact with people throughout American society. For more information, visit www.aaionline.org.

About Merck & Co., Inc.

Merck & Co., Inc. is a leading research-driven pharmaceutical products and services company. Merck discovers, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of innovative products to improve human and animal health, directly and through its joint ventures.