Nestlé Ghana Awards 52 Students, Revives Youth Sports

For thousands of young Ghanaians, the moment they receive recognition for their talents changes everything about how they see their future.

Nestlé Ghana is preparing to honor 52 exceptional students from all 16 regions at the 2026 President's Independence Day Awards. The recognition includes learners with visual and hearing impairments from both public and private schools, celebrating academic excellence across the country.

The awards partnership with Ghana Education Service continues a decades-long tradition of spotting bright young minds early. Managing Director Salomé Azevedo says the program sends a clear message that discipline, effort, and excellence matter at every level of education.

But Nestlé's investment in Ghana's youth goes beyond the classroom. Last year, the company relaunched the MILO Under 13 Football Tournament after a period of dormancy, reviving one of Ghana's most enduring youth sports programs.

The tournament has operated for more than two decades, transforming school pitches into talent discovery platforms. Abdul Majeed Waris, Fatawu Issahaku, and Kelvin Nkrumah all got their start through this program before advancing to international professional careers.

The Ripple Effect

Professor Ernest Kofi Davis, Director General of Ghana Education Service, emphasizes that talent needs supportive systems and committed mentors before success becomes visible. These early recognition programs do more than hand out certificates and trophies.

Past award winners credit the recognition with boosting their confidence and motivating continued excellence through secondary school and beyond. For children from disadvantaged backgrounds especially, this validation can reshape their entire sense of what's possible.

The tournament follows a regional qualification structure, with school teams competing at district and regional levels before reaching national finals. Coaches identify promising players during preliminary rounds, with some participants eventually joining youth academies operated by professional clubs.

Azevedo describes football as vital for shaping character and building values that extend far beyond sports. The game teaches teamwork, discipline, and resilience that prepare young people for professionalism in any field they choose.

During a recent visit, Cristina Macina, Nestlé's Vice President of Communications for Asia, Oceania and Africa, discussed expanding collaboration into nutrition education and environmental sustainability. Education officials expressed interest in practical programs like waste segregation in schools to shape responsible citizenship alongside academic achievement.

The dual focus on academic and athletic excellence reflects a simple truth: talent manifests in multiple forms. Some young Ghanaians shine in classrooms while others demonstrate their potential through teamwork and strategic thinking on sports fields.

Ghana's next generation of professionals and leaders is being shaped right now in classrooms and on playing fields across all 16 regions.