The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, has shared an insightful chapter of his professional journey in West Africa, an experience that tested his resilience, sharpened his leadership, and ultimately showcased his ability to navigate complexity with intelligence and poise.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Personality Profile with Lexis Bill, Mr. Blewett, who took the reins at MTN Ghana in April 2024, reflected on his time as CEO of MTN Benin (2015–2020). Among the defining moments of his tenure was a period in 2017 when he was asked to leave Benin at the height of a high-stakes dispute between MTN and the government over frequency fees.
A Complex Dispute, A Calm Mind
At the time, Benin’s telecom regulator had demanded $213 million in frequency fees for 2016 and 201, an amount MTN considered far beyond global industry norms. While the government’s directive cited national security concerns, the episode was widely understood to be tied to the commercial disagreement.
For Mr. Blewett, the challenge was not just professional but also had a personal impact. He had to spend six months away from his family, who remained in Cotonou. Yet even in those difficult days, his clarity of thought stood out.
“It was tough. I left my family behind because it was not personal, it was business. But those moments taught me lessons in resilience and leadership,” he recounted.
MTN Group at the time firmly defended him, describing him as a leader who had always shown respect for the laws of Benin.
Resilience and Smart Leadership
What makes this story remarkable is not the dispute itself but the way Mr. Blewett handled it. Instead of allowing the setback to define his tenure, he used the period as an opportunity to strengthen his resolve, deepen his understanding of West Africa’s business landscape, and sharpen his problem-solving skills.
When the matter was resolved, Mr. Blewett returned to Cotonou to lead MTN Benin into a new phase of growth. Under his leadership, the business, which served over 5.5 million subscribers, recorded three consecutive years of double-digit revenue growth.
A Career of Smart Transitions
His success in Benin paved the way for his appointment to lead MTN Cameroon in 2020, where he again demonstrated his ability to navigate complex environments. Today, as CEO of MTN Ghana, he brings the same resilience, foresight, and intelligence to steer one of the country’s largest companies.
Mr. Blewett’s journey—from expulsion and separation from family, through negotiation and eventual naturalisation in West Africa—is more than a personal story. It is a lesson in smart, strategic leadership in a region where business and governance often intersect.
His story highlights not just a man who endured challenges, but one who turned them into stepping stones for greater success.
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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
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