When Nancy Agyeman Duah was named Overall Best Graduating Student of Ho Technical University's Class of 2025, it was the culmination of years of sacrifice, much of it her parents'.
She graduated with a Bachelor of Technology in Hospitality Management and a cumulative grade point average of 3.96 out of 4.0, the highest in the university.
Her journey from Abuakwa in the Ashanti Region to the top of her class is also a story about how financial support can change the course of a young person's education.
As MTN Ghana marks 30 years of operations, hers is one of the stories that reflect the company's investment in education.
Pure water and engine grease
Nancy grew up in Abuakwa, where her father worked as a mechanic, and her mother sold sachet water. Their livelihoods were modest, but they were determined to give their children education.
As she moved through school, the cost of that education grew harder to meet.
By the time she entered university, the pressure was acute: tuition and other expenses were a constant worry, and her parents, now in their later years, had limited capacity to carry the cost of tertiary study.
They never asked her to give up. "My parents always encouraged me not to worry about finances but to trust that God would provide.
Although the burden was heavy at times, I stayed committed to my studies," she said.
She enrolled at Ho Technical University to read for a Bachelor of Technology in Hospitality Management, determined not to let her family's circumstances define her academic record.
A scholarship at the right time
Nancy first heard about the MTN Bright Scholarship in a friend's group chat, and her brother-in-law encouraged her to apply. The scheme, launched in 2017, supports brilliant and needy students through tertiary education.
When the news came that she had been selected, it was a defining moment for the family. "Between my tears of joy and my mom's screams of thanksgiving, I can truly say it was one of the best days for my family and me," she said.
The scholarship meant more than money. It eased the pressure on her parents and allowed her to concentrate on her studies instead of how her fees would be met. It also told her that her effort was worth investing in.
"The MTN Bright Scholarship was more than a scholarship for me; it was a bridge between potential and possibility," she said.
Finishing at the top
Nancy graduated in November 2025 at the top of her institution, a remarkable outcome for a young woman whose education had once been threatened by fees.
The achievement became a source of pride for parents whose daily work- engine repairs and sachet water sales- had kept her in school through the difficult years. A daughter of that household had finished first in her university.
After the cap and gown
Since graduating, Nancy has built a beauty business offering hair braiding and lash services, which keeps her financially active while she prepares for her next goal: a transition into law.
The experience has strengthened her belief that education can open doors that first appear out of reach, and she hopes her story will encourage others facing similar constraints.
"In my community, my story serves as encouragement to younger people who may also face challenges. It shows them that with determination, excellence and the right support, their dreams are achievable," she said.
The MTN Bright Scholarship
Since its launch in 2017, the Bright Scholarship has supported 1,220 brilliant but needy students through tertiary education, covering tuition, accommodation, a laptop and a stipend for books and study materials.
The programme has reached 18 tertiary institutions nationwide, including the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, the University of Ghana and the University of Cape Coast, as well as colleges of education and health training institutions.
The academic outcomes have been notable. Seventeen Bright Scholars have graduated as valedictorians or best students at their universities, 299 with first-class honours, 47 with second-class upper and 16 with second-class lower.
