MTN Ghana, through its foundation, partnered with the 2025 National Youth Mentorship Summit and Awards to champion youth empowerment under the theme “YouthPreneur: A Catalyst for a New Economy.”
The event took place on Saturday, July 12, at the University of Ghana Business School, drawing hundreds of students from institutions including the University of Ghana, KNUST, GCTU, UPSA, UEW, and Pentecost University.
The summit brought together influential figures, including media personality and entrepreneur Janet Sunkwa-Mills, CEO of Lynx Entertainment Richie Mensah, and key representatives from MTN Ghana and the MTN Ghana Foundation.
At the heart of the programme was MTN Ghana Foundation’s Skills Academy, an initiative designed to bridge the digital skills gap among African youth.
Addressing students, Education Portfolio Advisor at MTN Ghana Foundation, Ebenezer Terkper highlighted the company’s shift from being a traditional telecommunications provider to a technology-driven business.
“MTN has transitioned from a telco company that just provides SMS and calling services to a fully technology company,” Mr Terkper stated. “There are certain skills that we need going forward, and if we don’t want to bring in people from Singapore or the U.S. to take those jobs, then we need to be empowered locally.”
He recounted how MTN, which once heavily relied on foreign expertise, now boasts over 95 per cent local staffing in critical roles due to deliberate investments in upskilling.
“We want you, the young people in our universities, to be ready for this changing world of work,” he urged. “It’s not just about graduating with a first-class degree in Accounting or Sociology. Without digital skills, you won’t fit into companies like MTN or other tech-driven organisations.”
He explained that many graduates struggle to secure employment not because of poor academic results, but because they lack “future-ready skills.”
To tackle this, the MTN Skills Academy, in partnership with global learning platform Coursera, is offering free access to world-class digital training. These include courses in areas such as data analytics, cybersecurity, and fintech, provided by renowned universities like Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Chicago.
“These courses, which usually cost up to $500, are available for free on the MTN Skills Academy platform,” he said. “And when you complete them, the certificates come from the actual institutions not MTN.”
The platform also features a Career Guidance Portal, helping users discover suitable career paths based on their interests. For those interested in behavioural skills, it offers training in soft skills like communication and emotional intelligence areas often overlooked by traditional education systems.
“Whether your interest is in ICT or law, the portal will guide you through options and even show you where in Ghana you can pursue those studies,” Mr Terkper added. “We want your younger siblings in secondary school to benefit from this too.”
He noted that MTN is committed to supporting graduates beyond training. According to Mr Terkper, data from the platform will help identify students who complete the courses, making it easier for MTN and its partners to reach out with job or internship opportunities.
“We will organise a big Career Fair at the end of each year to connect you with employers,” he explained. “The jobs exist but without the right skills, our young people are missing out.”
Speaking to the media, the Head of Corporate Communications at MTN Ghana, Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, reiterated the organisation’s dedication to education and youth development.
“MTN is very focused on Africa’s future, and we believe the future is in the hands of young people,” she said. “Through the MTN Skills Academy, we are driving digital skills development not just in Ghana, but across all African countries where MTN operates.”
She encouraged students from all backgrounds whether aspiring doctors, performers, or entrepreneurs to take advantage of the platform.
“In whatever career path you choose, you need digital skills. That’s how you expand your impact and stay relevant,” she noted.
Ghana alone is targeting 100,000 students through the initiative, as part of a larger goal to reach one million young Africans.
“This is how we invest in Africa’s potential,” she added. “We want our youth to be inspired, skilled, and ready to lead the continent into the future.”
The MTN Skills Academy and Career Guidance platforms are free to use and accessible on the internet. Participants were urged to register and begin learning immediately.
One of the impactful sessions came from media personality and mentor for women and youth, Janet Sunkwa-Mills, who shared her personal entrepreneurial journey and offered practical advice for aspiring business owners.
She emphasised the importance of starting small, building bankable skills, and staying informed about national economic policies.
“If you want to become something, identify where your skill gaps are and try to close them,” she said. “You can’t afford to be a CEO who knows nothing. Learn the fundamentals of the business you want to build.”
She encouraged students to explore emerging opportunities in sectors prioritised by the government’s 24-hour economy agenda, particularly agribusiness and the creative industry.
“Did you hear about the 24-hour economy? We are shifting from an import-based to an export-based economy,” she said. “One of the key focus areas is Grow Ghana, which centres on agriculture. Agribusiness will always be relevant, people will always need food and nutrition.”
She also highlighted the See Ghana initiative, which focuses on Ghana’s rich arts and creative sector, encouraging students with talents in fashion, beauty, and performance to seize the moment.
She referenced the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report, noting that the most in-demand skills today include cognitive ability, technical intelligence, and social influence all of which are essential to thrive in modern entrepreneurship.
“Until you’re very open to your environment, your community, your school, even your church, and you actively look for problems to solve, you’re not thinking like an entrepreneur,” she said.
She reminded students that funding should not be the first concern.
“An investor won’t give you money unless you demonstrate belief, capacity, and a solid idea,” she explained. “So yes, start small but start prepared.
Source: Clara Seshie (My JoyOnline)
