MTN Ghana has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with youth-led non-profit organisation Thrive & Shine to expand digital opportunities for young people and strengthen Ghana’s future digital workforce.
The partnership represents a significant step toward improving artificial intelligence (AI) literacy, STEM education and market-ready skills among Ghanaian youth, at a time when AI adoption is accelerating globally.
Through the collaboration, students will be equipped with technical expertise, problem-solving capabilities and practical exposure needed to compete in the emerging digital economy.
Speaking at the signing,
Ibrahim Misto, Chief Digital Officer of MTN Ghana, said the initiative aligns with the company’s long-term commitment to nurturing future-ready digital talent.
“This is not a short-term project; it is a journey,” he said.
“That is why we have formalised the partnership through an MoU. The goal is to co-create solutions to real-world problems and support institutions like Thrive & Shine that are empowering young people with the skills and knowledge needed to contribute meaningfully to the digital economy.”
Co-Founder of Thrive & Shine, Yvonne Dumor, described the partnership as a defining moment for the organisation and its mission to close the digital opportunity gap.
“At Thrive & Shine, we believe that talent is universal, but opportunity is not,” she said. “Everything we do is driven by the question of how we bring opportunity closer to the people around us. This partnership with MTN moves us a step closer to ensuring Ghanaian students and young people can compete in the global AI space. We do not just want to consume AI solutions; we want to help shape them.”
Beneficiaries of the programme are already seeing tangible impact. Michael Darko, a Computer Science student at GIMPA, shared how the initiative has changed his academic journey.
“Before this opportunity, financial constraints made it difficult for me to fully focus on my studies and commit to projects,” he said.
“Through the scholarship and support from Thrive & Shine, I can now concentrate on my studies and build real projects.”
Under the partnership, MTN Ghana will provide mentoring, internship placements and practical learning platforms that allow participants to apply their skills to real-world use cases.
The initiative forms part of MTN Ghana’s broader ambition to promote digital inclusion, reduce the digital divide and empower young people with the skills needed to unlock economic opportunities in an AI-driven era.
Enock Akonnor is an experienced Ghanaian journalist, based in Kumasi and currently serves as the CEO and Managing Editor of www.leakyghana.com.
With a wealth of expertise built over many years in the media industry, he has earned a solid reputation as one of Ghana’s most sought-after journalists.
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