The MTN Ghana Foundation has launched the MTN Bright Scholars Network to bring together beneficiaries of its scholarship programme and promote mentorship, professional networking, skills development and community service.
The initiative, launched as part of activities marking MTN Ghana’s 30th anniversary, is expected to provide a platform for beneficiaries to share experiences, support one another and contribute to national development.
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Speaking on behalf of MTN Ghana’s Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Blewett, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, Adwoa Afriyie Wiafe, said the Bright Scholarship had supported 1,222 students since 2017.
She disclosed that 299 beneficiaries had graduated with first-class honours, while 10 had been named valedictorians or best graduating students.
Since 2017, the Bright Scholarship has provided relief to 1,222 students. Last year, we supported 500 students. This year, we are supporting 500, and next year we will support another 500,” she said.
Wiafe said the network would enable beneficiaries to build professional connections, share opportunities and mentor younger scholars.
She urged the newly elected executives to focus on creating a functional network centred on mentorship, collaboration and career development.
General Manager, Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Ghana, Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, said beneficiaries, many of whom were brilliant but needy students, had received comprehensive support, including tuition fees, laptops, stipends and accommodation.
She said the network would enable beneficiaries to share ideas, promote each other’s interests and raise awareness of issues affecting young people.
Basically, what they will be doing is sharing ideas, promoting each other’s interests, and promoting knowledge and awareness of things that are critical to young people,” she said.
The network is also expected to facilitate mentorship, job opportunities and development projects while working with the MTN Ghana Foundation to improve members’ skills and knowledge.
Asare Fiagbenu further encouraged young people to take advantage of the MTN Skills Academy to acquire relevant skills and improve their employability.
We would like the youth of today not to sit back and say, ‘Oh, we don’t have money.’ If you don’t have a scholarship, you can go to the MTN Skills Academy and get yourself connected,” she said.
Prince Elikem Nukafu, a teacher at SDA Senior High School, Gomoa Jukwa, and a scholarship beneficiary, said the support had motivated him to work hard and give back to society.
MTN was able to follow me from Level 100 all the way to Level 400. At that time, I started telling myself that I would not be someone who would disappoint MTN, and so I had to learn hard, get something for myself, and then also give back to society one day,” he said.
Another beneficiary, Mavis Essandoh, a 2019 scholarship recipient and Civil Engineer and Site Engineer at the Ghana ICT Hub, said the scholarship gave her the motivation to pursue her career despite the challenges she encountered.
She said she also hoped to inspire more young women to pursue careers in engineering, noting the opportunities available in the field.
The network has elected Dr. Anita Payne as President, Stephen Adom Asare as Vice President, Jessica Ayorkor Laryea as Secretary and Isaac Ampaya as Organiser.
Dr. Payne called for unity and active participation from members to ensure the success of the network.
As we begin this new chapter, our vision is to build an alumni community that remains connected, supportive, and committed to giving back. This association belongs to all of us,” she said.
She added that the success of the network would depend on the participation, ideas and support of all members.
