The latest awards follow a similar batch of 500 scholarships presented last year, bringing the total number awarded across the two years to 1,000.

The student beneficiaries will receive support covering tuition, accommodation, a laptop and a stipend.

Addressing the beneficiaries, the Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Blewett, urged them to apply their knowledge to solve problems and create opportunities for others.

Your talent belongs to you, scholars. That’s what got you here. So will the achievements that you will accomplish,” he said. “Apply your knowledge to solving problems and helping others progress whenever you can.”

He encouraged the students to remain focused, uphold integrity and use technology responsibly. He also urged the teacher beneficiaries to apply the knowledge and skills gained through further training to improve teaching and learning outcomes.

The Bright Scholarship Programme supports students in public universities and teachers seeking to upgrade their professional skills. More than 200 past beneficiaries have graduated with first-class honours.

The scholarship jury urged the awardees to avoid social vices and take responsibility for their academic, emotional and social wellbeing.

Please take care of yourselves holistically, academically, emotionally, socially. Be a complete awardee so that as you do well, we will be happy to celebrate you as well,” the jury said.

Deputy Minister of Education Dr Abas Apaak commended MTN Ghana and its Foundation for complementing government efforts to improve access to quality and inclusive education.

Every scholarship awarded is not only to support one student. It is an investment in the workforce, the leadership and the development our nation needs for tomorrow,” he said.

For some beneficiaries, the scholarship comes after years of personal and financial challenges.

Freeman Agbejenu, a Computer Science student at Ghana Communications Technology University specialising in cybersecurity, said a serious accident in 2020 had challenged him, but he returned to school determined to build a future for himself and his daughter.

I didn’t choose this accident, but I have chosen not to give up on my future,” he said.

Salomey Eze, a Level 300 Health Services Administration student at the University of Health and Allied Sciences, said the scholarship arrived at a critical point in her education after she spent nine years saving towards university while working as a private school teacher.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Nancy Brew, a Level 200 student at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), thanked MTN Ghana for the support and pledged that the recipients would work hard to justify the investment.

We assure MTN Ghana that we will do what is expected of us and make the company proud,” she said.

The Bright Scholarship Programme forms part of MTN Ghana’s corporate social responsibility commitments in health, education and economic empowerment.

The partnership, which was announced during the Threads of Africa Fashion Film Prize awards at the Elevate Africa 2026 Convening in Accra, Ghana, aims to strengthen the long-term impact of Threads of Africa, an initiative of Elevate Africa, by ensuring that the competition’s top creatives receive structured support to grow beyond award-winning films into scalable African fashion businesses.

Through the programme, the four Threads of Africa Fashion Film Prize winners – Adekola Emmanuel (winner), Irene Oniunu (first runner-up), Rebecca Agbragu (second runner-up), and Eyiwaa Agyekumhene (third runner-up), will receive year-long mentorship focused on fashion entrepreneurship, business development and expansion across the African continent. Participants will benefit from monthly group coaching sessions, access to CBEM’s master classes, and opportunities to learn directly from leaders across fashion, film, television, music and the wider creative economy.

“The programme will offer entrepreneurship classes, education, virtual master classes, professional development, and business building guidance, Dr. Syleecia Thompson, Director, Centre for Business Innovation, Entrepreneurialism & Management (CBEM), National University said.

There will be a certificate at the end, and they will take classes on marketing, branding, as well as how to create a business model and develop three to four revenue streams. So, I will also show you how to create and build a business model”, she added.

According to her, that is the first step, and the second step will be that they will have the opportunity through her company, Heritage Fund, which is registered in the U.S. as well as South Africa, to collaborate on creative opportunities, which means media and production opportunities.

The mentorship programme carries an estimated $25,000 in in-kind value, fully sponsored through the partnership.
The Threads of Africa Fashion Film Prize was established to celebrate and preserve Africa’s rich fashion heritage through contemporary storytelling. Creatives were challenged to produce three-to-five-minute fashion films inspired by endangered or forgotten African textiles, garments and traditional techniques, connecting their history to their future.

Beyond the Grand Prize of $25,000 in non-dilutive funding, Elevate Africa has remained committed to creating meaningful pathways for the filmmakers and designers behind the work. This partnership with CBEM extends that commitment by equipping winners with the business knowledge, entrepreneurial skills and industry networks needed to build enduring fashion brands.

The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to developing Africa’s creative economy by combining artistic excellence with practical business education, mentorship and market readiness.

The hotline is expected to provide a safe and accessible channel for reporting abuse, particularly in cases where complaints made through existing school authorities or education service structures are not addressed.

Stephen Blewett, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, announced the company’s commitment at the presentation ceremony for the MTN Bright Scholarship programme, following an appeal by Deputy Minister of Education Dr. Clement Apaak.

Blewett said the company would support the initiative and help publicise the hotline to ensure that students and members of the public could easily access it once established.

“When the minister spoke to me about what’s happening in the schools, he said, ‘Can MTN assist with this hotline?’ I already agreed that we will do the hotline,” he said add that  “We’re going to make sure the number is easily remembered. We’re going to make sure that it’s advertised everywhere, so that any student or person who wants to reach out to the hotline that the honourable minister is putting together can do that.”

He said the commitment formed part of MTN’s broader responsibility to contribute to the communities in which it operates.

The hotline is expected to give students and parents a direct channel to report cases of abuse, particularly where complaints made through established institutional procedures have not resulted in appropriate action.

Ministry identifies gaps in reporting system

Dr. Apaak said the decision to establish the hotline followed concerns about the handling of allegations of sexual abuse involving female students and weaknesses in the reporting structures within the education system.

He referred to a documentary that exposed alleged abuse involving a headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School, Dr. Zakaria Abdulai and female students, saying the Education Minister had directed that the headmaster be interdicted and the matter referred for police investigation.

He also said the ministry had asked the relevant regional and district education directors to step aside to allow administrative investigations into the handling of the case.

According to Dr. Apaak, the incident raised questions about how allegations of abuse were handled and why information had not reached the appropriate authorities earlier.

He suggested that existing reporting channels could fail victims when individuals responsible for escalating complaints chose to ignore them, conceal information or prevent it from reaching senior officials.

The deputy minister said the ministry had a responsibility to protect learners regardless of the position, professional standing or political affiliation of anyone accused of wrongdoing.

“We have a responsibility to protect our learners at every level,” he said, adding that no individual should be allowed to abuse a child and escape accountability because of their position.

Direct reporting channel for victims and parents

Dr. Apaak said the hotline would allow students, parents and other stakeholders to bypass the normal chain of command when complaints had not received an appropriate response.

The ministry is working with MTN Ghana to establish the reporting mechanism, which is expected to provide officials with information about alleged abuse in time for appropriate action to be taken.

He said the initiative was particularly important for vulnerable students who might feel unable to report abuse to school authorities or even their parents.

The ministry hopes that direct access to senior officials will help address delays in reporting, improve accountability and strengthen protection for students.

However, the hotline’s effectiveness will depend on clear procedures for receiving complaints, protecting the identities and safety of complainants, referring cases for investigation and ensuring that reports lead to appropriate action.

Sexual abuse in educational settings requires sensitive handling, particularly where children are involved. Students must be able to report incidents without fear of intimidation or retaliation, while allegations must be investigated through the appropriate administrative and law-enforcement processes.

MTN pledges publicity support

Blewett said MTN would help make the hotline widely known so that students and members of the public could use it when necessary.

He described the commitment as part of the company’s contribution to the communities it serves, alongside its existing investments in education and other social interventions.

The agreement also illustrates a potential role for private-sector partnerships in strengthening public services beyond financial support for schools and students.

Neither the deputy minister nor the MTN chief executive announced a dedicated hotline number during the remarks provided. Details on its launch date, operating arrangements and procedures for handling reports were also not specified.

The ministry’s planned hotline is expected to complement existing reporting channels by providing an additional route for complaints to reach officials responsible for protecting students and addressing alleged abuse.

The scholarships, awarded under the MTN Bright Scholarship programme, comprise 300 awards for brilliant but needy students in public universities and 200 for teachers pursuing further qualifications in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), as well as vocational and technical fields.

The package covers full tuition and accommodation, a laptop and a stipend to help beneficiaries meet other educational expenses.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Dr. Apaak said the programme demonstrated how collaboration between government and the private sector could help address financial barriers that prevent talented young people from accessing higher education.

Today’s ceremony celebrates excellence, integration and opportunity. More than that, it is a testament that stakeholders can achieve together,” he said.

He noted that although many young people had the talent and potential to excel academically, financial difficulties often stood between them and their educational aspirations.

He said scholarship programmes such as MTN Bright scholarship were important because they helped deserving students continue their education despite the financial circumstances of their families.

According to him, removing financial barriers was essential to promoting fairness and expanding opportunities for young people from different backgrounds.

By removing financial barriers in this community of students, they will understand that equity and equality have the same deep potential,” he said.

Dr. Apaak reaffirmed the government’s commitment to education, saying public investment remained important but could not, on its own, meet every need within the sector.

We do not pretend that we have the capacity to do so. We need partnerships,” he said.

He commended MTN Ghana and the MTN Foundation for supporting education and urged more companies to contribute to national development through similar initiatives.

“want to say thank you, MTN, for thinking about the future of our dear Republic,” he said. adding that “Every scholarship awarded is not only to support one student; it is an investment in the workforce, in leadership and in the development of our nation’s needs for tomorrow.”

The Deputy Minister said private-sector support complemented the government’s efforts and could help ensure that more students had the opportunity to develop their abilities and contribute to the country.

He also called on corporate Ghana to view its role in national development as extending beyond paying taxes to building meaningful partnerships with public institutions.

Initiatives like this one show what is possible when businesses see themselves not merely as taxpayers, but as genuine partners,” he said, urging more companies to follow that path.

Stephen Blewett, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, said the programme was designed to ensure that financial difficulties did not prevent talented young people from pursuing higher education.

He cited the experience of a scholarship beneficiary who had spent a year at home because his family could not afford university fees but later gained admission to the University for Development Studies with support from the MTN Ghana Foundation.

The beneficiary subsequently graduated with distinction and received awards as the overall best graduating student at the School of Pharmacy, as well as the best student in pharmacology and herbal medicine.

The talent was already there for this young man, so was the determination. The scholarship from us helped him to overcome and remove the financial barrier in his way,” Blewett said. “That is why we are here, to help ensure that financial hardship does not bring a promising education to an end,” he added.

He stated that the programme reflected MTN’s appreciation of the support Ghanaians had given the company over the past three decades and its desire to contribute to the country’s future development.

Today is one way we can say thank you. Not simply by looking back, but by helping another family look ahead and hope,” he added.

Scholarships to cover tuition and accommodation

Under the programme, beneficiaries receive full tuition and accommodation support, a laptop and stipends to assist with their educational expenses.

Georgina Fiagbenu, Acting General Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Ghana, said the programme was intended to support students throughout their academic journeys, subject to the applicable eligibility and performance requirements.

She explained that the initiative had evolved over the years, with the company bringing student scholarships and teacher development support under the same programme to widen its reach.

According to her, the scholarships are generally targeted at students in public tertiary institutions, particularly those who demonstrate academic ability but face financial constraints.

The programme also supports teachers seeking to upgrade their qualifications and improve their ability to deliver lessons effectively.

Blewett urged the beneficiaries to make the most of the opportunity by working hard, seeking guidance when necessary and applying their knowledge to practical challenges.

He also encouraged students to use artificial intelligence and other digital technologies responsibly, stressing that technology should support learning rather than replace independent thinking and academic integrity.

To the teachers, he said the opportunity to deepen their knowledge could have a wider impact by improving the quality of education delivered to learners in their classrooms.

Those who will help others grow deserve opportunities to grow too,” he said.

More than 1,200 scholarships awarded since inception

Fiagbenu said the scholarship initiative had supported beneficiaries since the early years of the company’s operations and was formally branded as the MTN Bright Scholarship programme in 2017.

Since the programme began, a total of 1,220 scholarships have been awarded.

The beneficiaries have recorded notable academic achievements, including 70 valedictorians and 299 first-class graduates. A further 47 beneficiaries graduated with second-class upper honours, while 60 obtained second-class lower honours.

Blewett said the achievements demonstrated the potential of young people when financial barriers to education were reduced.

He called on corporate Ghana to complement government efforts by investing in education and creating opportunities for young people to acquire the skills needed for national development.

He also urged the beneficiaries to support others when they were in a position to do so, noting that the benefits of education extended beyond individual achievement to families, communities and the wider economy.

The MTN Ghana Foundation identifies education, health and economic empowerment as key areas of its corporate social investment, with the scholarship programme forming part of its long-term contribution to human capital development.

The company said the latest awards reflected its continued commitment to supporting students and teachers while celebrating its 30-year presence in Ghana.

The scholarships are designed to ease financial barriers, enabling beneficiaries to pursue their academic goals, advance their professional development and realise their full potential.

Of the 500 scholarships, 300 will go to students, while 200 will support teachers in their academic and professional advancement.

The award ceremonies will be held in two sectors:

• Southern Sector: Thursday, October 22, 2026, at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Accra.
• Northern Sector: Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) campus, Kumasi.

The ceremonies will celebrate the beneficiaries’ achievements and highlight the role of education in shaping Ghana’s future. They also form part of activities marking MTN Ghana’s 30th anniversary, commemorating three decades of connecting people, expanding opportunities and improving lives as a force for good.

The entrepreneurs graduated from a rigorous 13-week Mini MBA programme under MTN Business’ flagship SME Accelerate initiative at a ceremony held at Palms by Eagles on Friday, October 9, 2026.

The annual programme is designed to build the capacity of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which remain the backbone of Ghana’s economy. By equipping business owners with the skills needed to navigate increasingly complex and competitive markets, the initiative helps to unlock growth, improve business sustainability and strengthen entrepreneurial resilience.

Participants received intensive training in strategic finance, digital transformation, market research, organizational development and sustainable business management. The programme also challenged participants to develop practical solutions to real business challenges through capstone projects aimed at driving measurable improvements within their enterprises.

Selected through SME clinics organised across the country, participants were grouped into three cohorts: Women, Men and Hybrid, creating opportunities for peer learning, collaboration and knowledge sharing among entrepreneurs from diverse industries.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, MTN Ghana’s Chief Enterprise Officer, Angela Mensah-Poku, reaffirmed MTN Business’ commitment to supporting SMEs beyond connectivity and technology solutions.

At MTN Business, we believe that when SMEs succeed, communities prosper, industries grow and economies become stronger. SMEs account for a significant share of employment and economic activity in Ghana, making their success critical to national development. Our role therefore goes beyond providing products and connectivity. We are committed to equipping entrepreneurs with the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to grow sustainable businesses and create lasting impact. Today, we celebrate not just 88 graduates, but 88 businesses with the potential to transform lives, create jobs and contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s future.”

The impact of the programme was evident in the experiences shared by participants, many of whom described significant shifts in how they approach business planning, operations and growth.

Emmanuel Wesom Achiom, owner of 1st Koko Spot in Sowutuom, said the programme’s focus on practical business challenges had transformed his decision-making and leadership approach.

Similarly, Nana Abena Oforiwaa Kwao-Adotey, founder of beauty brand Since Shea, said the training had provided actionable tools that were already yielding positive results.

From digital tools and proper bookkeeping to structured team building and our 90-day execution blueprints, I am walking away with practical solutions that I can immediately implement. My business has already started recording growth in key areas, and I am excited about what lies ahead.”

President and Chief Executive Officer of Nova Business School Africa, Prof. Mathew Tsamenyi, underscored the critical role entrepreneurs play in national transformation.

If Ghana is to achieve sustainable economic growth, the private sector must lead the way. Entrepreneurs are the engine of innovation, productivity and job creation. Programmes such as SME Accelerate are helping to build the strategic leadership and business capabilities required to accelerate enterprise growth and strengthen Ghana’s economy.”

He noted that the strategic frameworks, business models and capstone projects developed during the programme position participants to drive growth within their organisations while contributing to broader economic transformation.

To ensure the benefits of the programme extend beyond the classroom, MTN Ghana and Nova Business School Africa will continue to support participants through structured post-graduation mentorship and performance tracking. The support framework will help graduates implement their capstone projects, embrace digital transformation, improve operational efficiency and unlock new business opportunities.

Through SME Accelerate, MTN Ghana continues to demonstrate its commitment to empowering local businesses and fostering entrepreneurship. By investing in the growth of SMEs, the company is helping to create stronger businesses, sustainable jobs and a more resilient economy, advancing its purpose of enabling the benefits of a modern connected life for all.

The meeting took place on Monday, 12 October 2026, on the theme: Strengthening Stakeholder Relations Through Dialogue and Engagement.

The forum forms part of the Bank’s 16-regional outreach programme aimed at demystifying the mandate of the central bank, deepening public confidence in the financial system, and creating direct feedback channels between the regulator and the public.

The engagement brought together a broad spectrum of stakeholders in the Bono East Region, including traditional leaders, religious leaders, market queens and trader associations, SMEs, representatives of rural and community banks, microfinance institutions, security agencies, and media practitioners. A total of 150 participants attended the programme.

The delegation for the forum was led by Bernard Otabil, Director of Communications, together with Victor Akakpo, Head of Regional Branch Coordinating Office, and Abdulai Lawal Abubakar, Regional Director, Sunyani, who has oversight responsibility for the Bono East Region.

Technical presentations were delivered by seasoned experts from key departments of the Bank:

Banking Supervision Department (BSD),

Other Financial Institutions Supervision Department (OFISD),

Financial Stability Department (FSD),

and Currency Management Department (CMD)

“The Cedi Is Trust” – Director of Communications

In his opening remarks, Bernard Otabil stressed that central banking cannot thrive in isolation, noting that stakeholder trust is the bedrock of monetary policy effectiveness.

The Cedi is not just paper. It is trust. It is a social contract between the Bank of Ghana and every Ghanaian. We can formulate the best monetary policy, but if the trader in the Techiman market, arguably one of the largest open markets in West Africa, does not understand or trust it, we have failed. That is why we are here, not to lecture, but to listen, to dialogue, and to partner for financial stability,” he stated.

He added that BoG has deliberately shifted to a people-centred model where public voices shape policy response, especially in fighting unlicensed financial schemes, currency abuse, and misinformation.

Participants were taken through five critical thematic areas:

1. The Role and Mandate of the Bank of Ghana: Clarifying BoG’s core functions of price stability, financial stability, and currency management.

2. Microfinance Sector Reforms : Explaining the rationale behind the Microfinance sector reforms and implications for the industry.

3. Responsible Borrowing and Consumer Protection: Educating the public on their rights, loan disclosure requirements, and the need to avoid over-indebtedness.

4. Currency Education – FEEL, LOOK, TILT: A practical demonstration on how to identify genuine Ghana Cedi banknotes, detect counterfeits, and properly handle notes.

5. Dud Cheques – Causes, Implications and Prevention: Highlighting the legal and financial consequences of issuing dud cheques and measures to curb the practice.

Stakeholder Feedback

In an open forum, participants commended the Bank for bringing the engagement to their doorstep. They raised pertinent concerns including access to affordable credit for SMEs and farmers, the persistence of high lending rates despite falling inflation, the activities of unregulated lenders and “black market” forex operators, and the need for sustained education on the security features of the new Heritage Series Banknotes.

Officials of the Bank provided detailed responses and assured participants that their concerns would be escalated to Management for policy consideration.

Otabil reiterated the Bank’s commitment to sustaining open dialogue across all 16 regions as a tool for promoting financial inclusion, financial literacy, and resilience of the financial system. He urged the public to be vigilant and report suspected unlicensed financial institutions, counterfeit currency, and financial fraud cases to the Bank or law enforcement agencies.

The forum ended with a renewed call for partnership between the Bank of Ghana and regional stakeholders to protect the value of the Cedi and safeguard the stability of Ghana’s financial system.