Telecom giant continues commitment to educational excellence with focus on STEM and gender inclusivity
MTN Ghana has awarded scholarships to 500 students for the 2025/2026 academic year under its flagship MTN Bright Scholarship Scheme, with the ceremony taking place at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi on Monday, September 8, 2025.
The latest cohort includes 187 female and 313 male beneficiaries from across Ghana, reflecting the telecommunications company’s commitment to promoting gender equality and ensuring talented students are not denied educational opportunities due to financial constraints.
The scholarship recipients were selected from 3,691 applications through a rigorous vetting process that saw 1,200 candidates shortlisted for interviews. Among the 500 beneficiaries, 300 are undergraduate students pursuing STEM and technical disciplines, while 200 are teachers advancing their education at various public universities. The program also prioritized inclusivity, with 33 differently-abled students among this year’s recipients.
Since its relaunch in 2018, the Bright Scholarship Scheme has supported 720 students nationwide, providing comprehensive coverage including tuition, accommodation, and stipends for books and living expenses. The program’s impact has been remarkable, producing 10 valedictorians and best graduating students, 520 graduates with First Class Honours, and 94 who completed their degrees with Second Class Upper Division.
Dr. Isaac Mate, General Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Ghana, speaking on behalf of CEO Stephen Blewett, emphasized the program’s transformative power. “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 hope for students and families across the country.”
The company has ambitious plans for expansion, with Dr. Mate announcing MTN Ghana’s commitment to scaling the program to cover 1,500 beneficiaries over the next three years, maintaining focus on STEM fields, vocational and technical programs, and teacher development.
The awards ceremony, attended by dignitaries, education stakeholders, and traditional leaders, received high praise from government officials. Ashanti Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene, who served as guest of honor, commended MTN Ghana’s leadership in addressing educational inequality.
“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,” Dr. Amoakohene stated. He particularly highlighted the focus on STEM education, describing it as a model for how private sector initiatives can align with government efforts to provide equal educational access.
The minister challenged scholarship recipients to excel and serve as inspiration for other private sector players to expand support for national development through education.
The ceremony featured emotional testimonies from scholarship recipients who described how the initiative had lifted significant financial burdens, allowing them to concentrate fully on their academic pursuits. Many expressed profound gratitude to MTN Ghana for providing opportunities that had once seemed beyond reach.
The MTN Bright Scholarship Scheme has evolved from a financial aid program into what organizers describe as “a movement of empowerment, diversity, and opportunity.” With its gender-inclusive approach and continued expansion plans, the initiative represents MTN Ghana’s broader mission of driving sustainable change and shaping the future of education in the country.
The scholarship program stands as one of Ghana’s most significant private sector contributions to education, demonstrating how corporate social responsibility can create lasting impact on individual lives and national development. As MTN Ghana looks toward supporting 1,500 students over the next three years, the Bright Scholarship Scheme continues to serve as a beacon of hope for ambitious students across the nation.
