Former President John Dramani Mahama has announced that within just 48 hours of opening applications for the One Million Coders Programme, a staggering 90,000 individuals have applied, underscoring the growing demand for digital skills among Ghanaian youth.
Speaking at the official launch of the programme in Accra, President Mahama explained that the initiative would adopt a decentralised model, ensuring access to training for individuals across the country — from bustling cities to remote villages.
“The first cohort of 560 trainees launching today in Accra, Kumasi, Sunyani, and Bolgatanga reflects our commitment to gender balance and regional inclusivity,” he noted.
He also stressed the inclusion of vulnerable groups, particularly people with disabilities, who often face barriers to such opportunities.
President Mahama described the overwhelming interest as a clear signal of the urgency to address the skills gap facing young Ghanaians.
“This overwhelming response highlights the hunger for opportunity and the importance of this initiative,” he said. He added that plans are underway to expand the programme by setting up community training centres in every district, municipality, and metropolitan area.
Outlining the necessary digital infrastructure to support the rollout, Mahama emphasized the importance of broadband expansion, learning platforms, and access to devices.
“Every layer of this initiative has been designed for skill and sustainability,” he said. “Let us not underestimate what this represents for our country. We are changing the national narrative from one of limitations to one of limitless potential.”
Also speaking at the event, Communications Minister Sam George highlighted the critical role digital training will play in addressing Africa’s skills gap, pointing out that nearly 60% of young people in Sub-Saharan Africa lack basic digital skills.
“This gap isn’t just a missed opportunity; it’s a barrier to progress, and we must break it down,” he stated.
The One Million Coders Programme aims to deliver comprehensive coding and digital skills training, beginning in four locations with the goal of nationwide expansion.
The Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT is spearheading the programme’s content development, offering a structured curriculum at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Participants will be trained in areas such as cybersecurity, network support, data protection, and data analysis.
“We initially planned to pilot with 260 students, but within four hours of the announcement, we had over 4,000 applications, so we expanded the pilot to 520 students,” Sam George revealed. As of the latest count, over 91,000 applications have been received.
The initiative is positioned as a strategic investment in Ghana’s youth, aimed at equipping them with the digital expertise needed to seize emerging opportunities as Africa’s digital economy is projected to generate millions of new jobs by 2030 — a crucial pathway amid the country’s 12% youth unemployment rate.