In a resounding testament to her bold legacy, Mary Anane Awuku, one of Ghana’s most respected entrepreneurs and Executive Director of Brain Hill International School, emerged triumphant at the 9th edition of the Forty Under 40 Awards, held on September 5, 2025.
The astute businesswoman swept two coveted honours—Best in Education Award and the prestigious Best Among Equals Award, making her the ultimate winner among her peers for the night.
Remarkably, she becomes only the second woman to win the First Among Equals award since the inception of the scheme nine years ago—solidifying her influence in Ghana’s Cambridge educational landscape and underscoring Brain Hill’s rapid ascent in the country’s education sector.
Brain Hill International School, widely regarded as one of Ghana’s best international schools, operates from its East Legon campus and a new facility at Weija-Gbawe. The institution nurtures future leaders through a comprehensive system that spans preschool to secondary education, supported by modern boarding facilities, spacious classrooms, sports infrastructure, and extended working hours from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Admissions at the Gbawe campus are currently open, with opportunities for parents to tour the facilities and enrol children aged three months to 15 years.
Under the visionary leadership of Mary Anane Awuku, Brain Hill has built a reputation for quality education and holistic child care. Her strategies have ensured sustainability, efficient administration, and a nurturing environment where, as she emphasizes, “every child is a seed of greatness.”
Addressing the gathering after her win, Mary expressed profound gratitude to her husband, Mr. Samuel Awuku, MP for Akuapim North, as well as her dedicated staff.
“Thank you all so much for your incredible support. I am so grateful and honoured to have won the award in education and to be the overall winner for the year. This wouldn’t have been possible without your love, encouragement, and support. Your belief in me means the world. Thank you Team Brain Hill. We did it,” she said with a smile.
The prestigious awards ceremony, organised by Xodus Communications Limited, took place at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra. The Forty Under 40 Awards honour a cross-section of Ghana’s most influential and accomplished young business leaders under the age of 40, spotlighting excellence in leadership, innovation, teamwork, and organisational impact.
About Mary Anane Awuku
Mary Anane Awuku is a visionary entrepreneur and leader with expertise in education, corporate management, and community development. She is the Managing Director of Brain Hill International School, founded in 2018, which has expanded to three campuses in Ghana with over 900 students.
She also owns Facility Pro Management Services Ltd, a multinational company she has grown since 2012 into a 700-employee business operating across all 16 regions of Ghana, with branches in Togo and Nigeria.
Mary holds an MBA in Entrepreneurial Management from the University of Ghana, is pursuing a PhD in Psychology, and has completed executive programs at Harvard University, the University of Cambridge, and the U.S.-based Principal Training Center.
Through her YESSHECAN Foundation, she champions women’s empowerment and community initiatives, blending innovation, resilience, and strategic leadership to create lasting impact.
