Hamdia Issahaku, a young woman from Gambaga in the North East Region of Ghana, has achieved a remarkable feat by emerging as the Best Female Graduating Student at the School of Nursing and Midwifery of the University for Development Studies (UDS). Her journey to success was not easy, as she faced significant financial challenges that threatened to derail her education. Hamdia lost her mother at a young age, and her father's retirement left the family with limited financial resources.
The financial struggles worsened when Hamdia's brother was involved in a serious accident and required a craniotomy, depleting much of her father's savings. Despite these challenges, Hamdia remained determined to pursue her education. She gained admission to UDS to study Nursing, but meeting the cost of tuition, accommodation, books, and other academic needs became a major challenge. To support herself, Hamdia began selling body splash to students on campus, moving from one hostel to another.
Hamdia's circumstances changed after she applied for the MTN Bright Scholarship, which provided her with financial support for tuition, accommodation, a laptop, and a stipend for books and study materials. The scholarship allowed her to stop relying on her small business and concentrate more fully on her studies. Hamdia expressed her gratitude for the support, saying it was one of the happiest days of her life. The scholarship selection process also helped her build confidence, particularly in public speaking and presenting herself before others.
With the financial burden lifted, Hamdia was able to focus on her studies and eventually completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at UDS. Her hard work and determination paid off when she graduated as the Best Female Graduating Student at the School of Nursing and Midwifery. Hamdia is currently undertaking her national service at Tema General Hospital, where she is gaining practical experience as she begins her professional career in nursing.
The MTN Bright Scholarship, launched in 2017, has supported 1,220 brilliant but needy students to complete their tertiary education. The programme has reached students across 18 tertiary institutions, including the University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and the University of Cape Coast. According to the programme, 17 Bright Scholars have graduated as valedictorians or best students at their universities, while 299 have graduated with first-class honours.
Hamdia's story is a testament to the impact of the MTN Ghana Foundation's Bright Scholarship programme. She has also maintained her entrepreneurial interests and started a small beverage business producing and selling Sobolo and Zomkom. Reflecting on her journey, Hamdia said the MTN Bright Scholarship gave her the opportunity to focus on her education at a time when her family was struggling financially.
Today, Hamdia's story serves as an inspiration to many young people who face similar challenges. She has shown that with determination and support, it is possible to overcome adversity and achieve academic success. The MTN Ghana Foundation's Bright Scholarship programme continues to make a positive impact on the lives of many students, providing them with the financial support they need to pursue their educational goals.
Key points
- Hamdia Issahaku, a nursing graduate from UDS, overcame financial challenges to excel academically and become the Best Female Graduating Student.
- The MTN Bright Scholarship programme has supported 1,220 brilliant but needy students to complete their tertiary education.
- Hamdia's story serves as an inspiration to many young people who face similar challenges, showing that with determination and support, it is possible to overcome adversity and achieve academic success.
