CEO for a Day: MTN empowers young women

Anyone who visited the headquarters of MTN Ghana on Monday, April 7, 2025, would have been struck by an unusual but captivating sight: a young woman sitting confidently in the CEO’s chair, with MTN Ghana CEO, Mr. Stephen Blewett, standing beside her with a broad smile.
Displayed boldly on large digital screens at the company’s front office in Accra, the image bore the caption: “Meet our CEO of the Day; Ms Selina Bower.”
The display quickly piqued curiosity and raised questions about whether MTN Ghana had appointed a new — and notably youthful — CEO.

Meet the CEO of the Day: Selina Bower
Further enquiry revealed that Ms. Bower is a graduate trainee in the Digital Analytics Department at MTN Ghana.
She recently completed the Senior Vice-President’s Data Science Programme, run in partnership with analytics powerhouse SAS.
As it turns out, Ms. Bower was selected to lead the company for the day as part of the maiden edition of MTN Ghana’s “CEO of the Day” initiative, aimed at grooming future female leaders.

A bold new initiative inspired by Uche Ofodile
The initiative was originally conceptualized by Madam Uche Ofodile, former CEO of MTN Benin, and introduced within the MTN Group three years ago.
Under the programme, one young female staff member is selected each year to serve as acting CEO for an entire day, gaining firsthand experience in high-level corporate leadership.
Encouraged by Madam Uche, current MTN CEO in Benin, Mr. Stephen Mr Blewett MTN Ghana CEO launched the programme locally, driven by his strong commitment to female empowerment.
He announced that the initiative would now be an annual affair at MTN Ghana.

A day of real leadership and mentorship
As CEO, Ms. Bower’s responsibilities were far from ceremonial. She received direct briefings from senior management, chaired executive meetings, and was formally addressed as “CEO” by all MTN staff throughout the day.
In addition, she received on-the-spot coaching in leadership, strategic thinking, and communication.
The experience, MTN said is designed to build confidence and leadership skills in young women within the organization, with a long-term goal of grooming them for executive positions.

A call for broader adoption
The impact of the initiative is already resonating beyond MTN.
Thanks to Madam Uche’s influence, other companies in Benin have begun adopting similar models.
Mr. Blewett expressed hope that corporate Ghana would follow MTN’s lead in empowering young women through practical leadership experiences.

Excited Ms Bower shared her experience
Reflecting on her unique opportunity to serve as MTN Ghana’s CEO of the Day, Ms. Bower expressed both enthusiasm and gratitude.
“I was thrilled and honoured,” she said. “My initial reaction was a mix of excitement and a little nervousness—it felt like a big responsibility.”
She described the day as “amazing,” noting how deeply she was immersed in the company’s leadership activities.
“I joined key meetings, interacted with top executives, asked important questions, and got a real feel for how MTN operates at the top level,” she said.
Sharing her biggest takeaways, she emphasised that true leadership goes beyond authority.
“I’ve learned that leadership is about vision, clarity, and collaboration. It’s not just about making decisions, but making the right ones—for both people and the business.”
She admitted that one of the most challenging aspects was the fast-paced nature of the day.
“Keeping up with how packed the day was! Every moment required me to be alert, confident, and ready to contribute.”
Mr Blewett stated that this initiative provides young women with a valuable opportunity to experience what it is like to be a CEO.
He said, ”we are not only building networks but also cultivating leaders and empowering women to lead. We are dedicated to developing the skills and talents of our people”.
He added that this initiative offers young women a unique chance to gain firsthand experience in executive leadership, encouraging them to aspire to leadership roles.
He said, “I look forward to seeing many companies embrace this initiative”.