MTN Bright Scholarship Celebrates Academic Excellence: 10 Valedictorians, 520 First-Class Graduates
MTN Ghana has once again demonstrated its commitment to education and national development by celebrating outstanding academic achievements through its flagship Bright Scholarship Awards. At this year’s ceremony, held on Monday, September 8, 2025, at the Faculty of Law Auditorium of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, the company honored 500 exceptional students and teachers from across the country, while highlighting remarkable milestones the initiative has achieved since its relaunch in 2018.
The Bright Scholarship program has become a beacon of opportunity for students with ambition but limited resources, providing full financial support, including tuition, accommodation, and stipends. Over the years, the initiative has supported 720 students nationwide, producing extraordinary results. Among the beneficiaries, ten have emerged as valedictorians and best graduating students from their respective universities, while 520 have graduated with First Class Honours and 94 have completed their studies with Second Class Upper Division.
Speaking at the ceremony, MTN Ghana Chief Executive Officer Stephen Blewett, in a speech delivered on his behalf by Dr. Isaac Mate, General Manager of Sustainability and Shared Value, commended the scholarship recipients for their excellence and resilience. He emphasized that MTN’s commitment to education stems from a belief that investing in people is one of the most powerful ways to transform communities and close socio-economic gaps. Dr. Mate announced that MTN is set to expand the scholarship to support 1,500 beneficiaries over the next three years, with a focus on students pursuing studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), as well as vocational and technical education. Teachers seeking to upgrade their skills will also be included in this expanded program, ensuring a long-term impact on Ghana’s education sector.
The 2025 edition of the Bright Scholarship saw 3,691 applications submitted from across Ghana, cementing its reputation as one of the most competitive scholarship schemes in the country. After a rigorous selection process, 1,200 applicants were shortlisted for interviews, resulting in the final selection of 500 awardees. This year’s group includes 300 undergraduate students pursuing STEM and technical degrees, along with 200 teachers furthering their education at public universities. Demonstrating MTN’s dedication to inclusivity, the scholarship program awarded 33 differently abled students, with an overall gender breakdown of 187 female and 313 male beneficiaries.
The ceremony was attended by key stakeholders, including the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, who commended MTN Ghana for its leadership in education-focused corporate social responsibility. He highlighted the inclusion of differently abled persons and noted with pride that 38 beneficiaries hail from the Ashanti Region. Dr. Amoakohene praised MTN for going beyond simply providing financial support to actively addressing educational inequalities and structural imbalances that limit opportunities for many young Ghanaians.
The event was filled with emotional moments as beneficiaries and their families expressed heartfelt gratitude to MTN Ghana. Many shared personal stories of financial challenges and how the scholarship has lifted a heavy burden, enabling them to focus on their studies and pursue their dreams with renewed confidence. Their appreciation reflected the profound impact of the Bright Scholarship, which has become more than a corporate initiative—it is a lifeline of hope and an investment in Ghana’s future.
Since its inception, the Bright Scholarship has grown beyond being a financial support system; it is now seen as a movement of empowerment, equity, and opportunity. MTN Ghana’s bold plans to expand the initiative further underline the company’s commitment to shaping the future of education in the country. By supporting young people in STEM and technical fields and empowering teachers, MTN is building a foundation for innovation and long-term national development.
As the 500 recipients of this year’s awards stepped forward to receive their scholarships, their excitement and determination symbolized a brighter tomorrow. For many, this scholarship is more than financial relief; it is a validation of their hard work and a stepping stone toward making meaningful contributions to society. MTN Ghana, through the Bright Scholarship Awards, continues to demonstrate that when businesses invest in people, entire nations thrive.
