Hamdia Issahaku, a young woman from Gambaga in the North East Region of Ghana, has achieved a remarkable feat by graduating as the Best Female Graduating Student at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, University for Development Studies (UDS). Her journey to this milestone was not easy, as she faced financial difficulties that threatened to derail her education. After losing her mother at a young age and her father retiring, the family's financial situation became precarious.
The financial struggles deepened when Hamdia's brother was involved in a serious accident, requiring a costly craniotomy. The medical expenses depleted her father's savings, leaving the family struggling to meet their educational and household needs. Despite these challenges, Hamdia gained admission to UDS to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. However, financing her education became a major hurdle, prompting her to start selling body splash to students to support herself.
Hamdia's entrepreneurial venture helped her meet some of her basic needs, but balancing it with her academic responsibilities proved difficult. She often missed lectures to sell body splash, leading to academic setbacks. In a bid to overcome these challenges, Hamdia applied for the Tisungtaba Scholarship, but the assistance she received was insufficient to cover all her educational expenses. Her situation changed when Dr. Umar Haruna, then Vice Dean of Students at UDS, directed her to apply for the MTN Bright Scholarship.
Hamdia was subsequently selected as an MTN Bright Scholar, receiving a fully funded scholarship that covered her tuition, accommodation, laptop, and stipend for books and study materials. This support relieved her of the financial pressure that had forced her to combine academic work with selling body splash. The scholarship selection process also helped improve her confidence, particularly in public speaking and presenting herself before others.
With her basic educational needs covered, Hamdia devoted more attention to her studies and eventually graduated as the Best Female Graduating Student at the School of Nursing and Midwifery. She is currently undertaking her National Service at the Tema General Hospital, where she is gaining practical experience and beginning her professional nursing career. Hamdia's story is a testament to the impact of the MTN Bright Scholarship, which has supported 1,220 brilliant but needy students to complete their tertiary education.
The MTN Bright Scholarship, launched in 2017, has reached students across 18 tertiary institutions in Ghana, including the University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and the University of Cape Coast. According to the MTN Ghana Foundation, 17 Bright Scholars have graduated as valedictorians or best students at their universities, while 299 have graduated with first-class honours. The scholarship programme has made a significant difference in the lives of many students, enabling them to focus on their studies and achieve academic success.
Hamdia's journey is an inspiration to many, and she is grateful to the MTN Ghana Foundation for providing the financial support that enabled her to concentrate on her education. She expressed her appreciation for the foundation's support, saying that it had made it clear that one just needs to take the first step, and there will be someone to support them throughout their journey. Hamdia's story highlights the importance of initiatives like the MTN Bright Scholarship in empowering young people to achieve their academic and professional goals.
Key points
- Hamdia Issahaku's journey from selling body splash to graduating as the Best Female Graduating Student at UDS's School of Nursing and Midwifery is a testament to her resilience and determination.
- The MTN Bright Scholarship has supported 1,220 brilliant but needy students to complete their tertiary education in Ghana.
- Hamdia's story highlights the impact of the scholarship programme in empowering young people to achieve their academic and professional goals.
