1M coders programme faces cybercrime risk
The ambitious goal of training one million young coders as part of the national digital transformation agenda is being venerated as a step towards future readiness.
However, concerns are mounting about the possible unintended consequences of such a large-scale initiative if the government fails to provide structured job opportunities for the graduates, and it becomes just one of those flagship programmes without any clear directions.
President John Mahama at the launch of the initiative on April 16, 2025, described the initiative as a core part of his government’s Reset Ghana agenda, intended to prepare the country for a more competitive role in the global digital economy.
“This is not just a fulfilled campaign promise, it is a deliberate move towards building a knowledge-based economy where our people are able to create solutions, find jobs, and compete globally,” he said.
In an interview with Daily Graphic the Director of the Mobile Money Advocacy Group, Stephen Gorman, revealed that without organised job paths, the programme could unintentionally contribute to the rise in cybercrime, especially in the already vulnerable mobile money sector.
Therefore, he is calling on the government to urgently intervene by creating job pipelines for these newly trained digital professionals.
“One million coders being trained in Ghana is a significant step in the direction of digital transformation, but without organised job paths, this programme runs the risk of creating dissatisfaction and possibly escalating cybercrime,” he stated.
He cautioned that while the acquisition of digital skills was commendable, leaving skilled individuals unemployed could turn the government’s good intentions into a national security concern.
According to Mr Gorman, if these coders graduated without any clearly defined roles or employment opportunities, they might become frustrated and vulnerable to exploitation by cybercriminal networks or tempted to misuse their skills.
“Without opportunity, skill can turn into a liability rather than a national advantage. Real influence comes from both educating people and creating the conditions necessary for that education to flourish,” he said.
Ponzi schemes
Mr Gorman also shed light on the growing trend of cyber fraud in Ghana, linking it to the rise in tech-savvy individuals who have limited legitimate outlets for their talents.
“Ponzi schemes and mobile money fraud are still very common in Ghana. Scammers may now access and withdraw victims' money with a single, thoughtless click because of the proliferation of dubious WhatsApp links,” he said.
His statement emphasises the urgent need for not just technical training, but a parallel increase in digital literacy and awareness campaigns to protect unsuspecting users from online scams.
“In today's technologically advanced world, being cautious online is no longer an option; it is a survival skill,” he added.
Industry risk
Ghana’s mobile money industry, which has significantly boosted financial inclusion across the country, is under constant threat from cybercriminals.
The link between idle, highly skilled individuals and the sophistication of online scams is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
He urged policymakers to consider the broader ecosystem required to support the digital economy.