MTN Ghana Builds a Nation of Innovators with 500 Bright Scholarships

MTN Ghana Builds a Nation of Innovators with 500 Bright Scholarships

In a grand ceremony that celebrated hope, ambition, and the power of education, the MTN Ghana Foundation has awarded 500 Bright Scholarships to deserving students and teachers across the country for the 2025/2026 academic year.

The colourful event took place on Monday, 8th September 2025, at the Law Faculty of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, bringing together government officials, academia, traditional leaders, beneficiaries, and representatives of MTN Ghana. The occasion highlighted the company’s unwavering commitment to supporting education as a catalyst for national development.

Who Benefits?

This year’s package provides:

300 undergraduate students with full tuition, accommodation, monthly stipends, and laptops. These students are pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), and vocational fields that are vital to Ghana’s future workforce.

200 scholarships to dedicated teachers in public universities, enabling them to upgrade their professional skills, improve classroom teaching, and uplift the standards of education nationwide.

Speaking on behalf of MTN Ghana CEO Stephen Blewett, the General Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value, Isaac Mate, revealed that the Foundation received an overwhelming 3,691 applications this year. Out of these, 1,200 were shortlisted, and finally, 500 emerged as successful candidates, carefully chosen on the basis of academic merit, financial need, and leadership potential.

This scholarship is more than just financial aid. It’s about investing in dreams, unlocking potential, and securing Ghana’s future,” Blewett noted in his message.

He emphasized that the impact of the scholarship extends beyond the beneficiaries, creating ripple effects that will benefit families, communities, and the nation at large.

Inspiring the Future Leaders

The MTN CEO’s message charged beneficiaries to embrace the opportunity with discipline and purpose.

“Among you are future entrepreneurs, scientists, professors, doctors, judges, and national leaders. The future is bright, so shine brightly,” he encouraged, sparking thunderous applause from the audience.

The Journey of the Bright Scholarship

Launched in 2018, the Bright Scholarship Initiative was MTN’s bold response to the alarming number of first-year university students dropping out due to financial constraints. Since its inception, the initiative has supported over 1,000 students across Ghana, making it one of the country’s most impactful corporate social responsibility interventions in the education sector.

The programme does not only lift financial burdens but also nurtures talent, builds resilience, and inspires innovation among young Ghanaians.

A Call to Impact

Blewett reminded the awardees that the scholarship is not a destination but a stepping stone.

“We are confident you will go beyond earning degrees. We expect you to cultivate curiosity, resilience, and problem-solving skills that will help address Ghana’s and Africa’s most pressing challenges,” he said.

Gratitude and Commitment from Beneficiaries

The hall was filled with emotions as scholarship recipients took turns expressing gratitude to MTN Ghana Foundation. Many pledged to excel academically, give back to society, and mentor others in the spirit of “each one, teach one.”

One beneficiary, a final-year engineering student, described the award as “a lifeline that turned despair into hope.” Another, a teacher pursuing a master’s degree, promised to return to the classroom with renewed energy to inspire the next generation.

Looking Ahead

As the ceremony ended, the message was clear: MTN Ghana is not only connecting people through technology but also connecting them to brighter futures. By investing in education, the company is deliberately shaping the next generation of leaders who will drive innovation, development, and prosperity for Ghana and beyond.