Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology graduate Yaa Anokye (BSc'23) will travel to Montreal, Canada as a global finalist for the McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill University.
The result of a landmark C$200-million gift (approximately GHS 2.06 B) in 2019, McCall MacBain Scholarships are Canada’s largest leadership-based scholarships for master’s and professional studies.
Each scholarship covers tuition and fees for an eligible degree, a living stipend of $2,300 per month during academic terms, summer funding options, mentorship, coaching, a leadership curriculum, access to the McCall MacBain House, and a relocation grant.
McGill University is ranked 29th best university in the world by QS World University Rankings 2025.
Yaa Anokye is among 36 international finalists chosen from thousands of candidates around the world. The selection process includes a university nomination and emphasizes holistic criteria such as character, community engagement, leadership potential, entrepreneurial spirit, academic strength, and intellectual curiosity.
A recent Business Administration graduate, Yaa is completing her year of national service at the KNUST Centre for Business Development. She also works part-time as a marketing manager for her family's farming business.
During her studies, Yaa organized monthly events as Deputy Women's Commissioner for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. She also served for four years as a class representative in the School of Business, participated in the non-residential student council, and ran a catering business. The catering business promoted a circular economy by repurposing sanitizer containers as fruit juice containers.
Yaa hopes to eventually establish a company dedicated to investing in agricultural businesses. She is applying for the Master of Management in Finance program at McGill.
“Becoming a McCall MacBain finalist is a transformative moment for me; it feels like a greater milestone in a journey of not being ordinary, inspiring me to push boundaries and create a lasting impact in the lives of my generation and the many to come,” said Yaa. “My experience at KNUST taught me the value of stepping out of my comfort zone. I learned that those who need your help the most will only find you when you embrace challenges and position yourself beyond the familiar.”
“We need more leaders who act with integrity, kindness, curiosity, and courage,” said Dr. Marcy McCall MacBain, Chair of the McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill. “We congratulate these students who have already distinguished themselves as the top candidates nationally and globally, and we thank the universities that nominated them for this opportunity.”
During her visit to Canada, Yaa will participate in interviews with leaders from academia, business, government, and the social sector. A cohort of up to 30 McCall MacBain Scholars will be selected after final interviews. If not selected for the cohort, Yaa will be eligible to receive C$20,000 for master’s studies at McGill.
“We are grateful to the more than 300 senior leaders who contribute their time to the decision-making process,” added Natasha Sawh, CEO of the McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill. “The interview process allows students to reflect on their experiences and motivations, and we hope each one comes away from the process with a better understanding of their capacity to lead and to strengthen communities.”
Applications will open in June 2025 for the 2026 cohort. More information about the McCall MacBain Scholarships can be found at mccallmacbainscholars.org.
