Mary Anane Awuku, Executive Director of Brain Hills International School, has been named the overall winner at the 9th edition of the Forty Under 40 Awards, held on Friday, September 5, 2025, at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra.

She received two top honours on the night, the Best in Education Award and the prestigious Best Among Equals Award, making her the ultimate winner of the event.

Mary becomes the second woman to win the Best Among Equals Award in the nine-year history of the scheme, a recognition that underscores her influence in Ghana’s education sector and Brain Hills International School’s rapid growth in the Cambridge education landscape.

Brain Hills International School, with campuses at East Legon and Weija-Gbawe, offers comprehensive facilities including boarding services, preschool to secondary departments, spacious classrooms, and sports facilities.

The school operates extended hours from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., with admissions open for children aged three months to 15 years.

In her acceptance speech, Mary expressed heartfelt gratitude to her husband, Samuel Awuku, Member of Parliament for Akuapim North, as well as her staff for their dedication and hard work.

“Thank you all so much for your incredible support. I am so grateful and honoured to have won the award in education and 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.

The awards ceremony, organised by Xodus Communications Limited at the Labadi Beach Hotel, celebrates the nation’s most influential young business leaders under 40 across diverse industries, recognising excellence in leadership, innovation, teamwork, and organisational impact.

About Mary Anane Awuku

Mary Anane Awuku is the Managing Director of Brain Hills International School, established in 2018 and now operating three campuses with over 900 students. She also owns FacilityPro Management Services Ltd, a multinational company with 700 employees across Ghana, Togo, and Nigeria.

She 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 and strategic leadership to create lasting impact.