Telecommunications giant MTN Ghana has once again demonstrated its commitment to education and youth empowerment by awarding full scholarships to 500 students and teachers under its flagship Bright Scholarship Scheme for the 2025/2026 academic year.
At a colourful ceremony held on Monday, September 8, 2025, at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the company announced that 187 female and 313 male beneficiaries were selected from across the country after a rigorous application and interview process. Out of this number, 300 are undergraduate students in STEM and technical programs, while 200 are teachers pursuing advanced studies at various public universities. Notably, 33 differently abled students are also among this year’s awardees.
The Bright Scholarship Scheme, relaunched in 2018, has so far supported 720 students nationwide, covering tuition, accommodation, and stipends for books and living expenses. Its impact has been remarkable, producing 10 valedictorians and best graduating students, 520 First-Class Honours graduates, and 94 Second-Class Upper graduates.
Speaking on behalf of MTN Ghana’s Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Blewett, the company’s General Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value, Dr. Isaac Mate, described the initiative as “a beacon of hope for students and families across the country.”
“This achievement demonstrates that when students are supported with the right resources, they can thrive academically and make meaningful contributions to society. MTN’s Bright Scholarship continues to be a beacon of opportunity for ambitious students nationwide,” he said.
Dr. Mate further revealed MTN Ghana’s ambition to scale the scholarship program to reach 1,500 beneficiaries in the next three years, with a renewed emphasis on STEM, vocational and technical education, and teacher training. He also highlighted the importance of inclusivity, pointing to the 187 female students among this year’s recipients, many of whom are pursuing STEM careers.
“This reflects MTN’s unwavering dedication to equal opportunities. Given equal access, every student has the potential to excel,” he added.
The awards ceremony brought together dignitaries, education stakeholders, and traditional leaders. The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, praised MTN Ghana for taking a leadership role in addressing inequality in education.
“This scholarship is not just giving hope – it is correcting systemic imbalances and ensuring that all students, regardless of gender or background, have a fair chance to succeed,” he said
He further urged the beneficiaries to serve as role models and use their success to inspire other private-sector organisations to invest in national development.
Emotional testimonies from recipients underscored the life-changing impact of the initiative. Many students shared how the scholarship had lifted financial burdens, allowing them to focus fully on their studies.
“I thought my education was over because my family couldn’t afford the fees. MTN has given me a second chance at life,” said a teary-eyed beneficiary from the Northern Region.
Since its inception, the MTN Bright Scholarship Scheme has grown beyond financial aid into a movement of empowerment, inclusion, and opportunity. With its gender-sensitive approach and expanding reach, the initiative has become one of Ghana’s most transformative educational programs, affirming MTN’s mission of driving sustainable change and shaping the future of education.
