Mahama launches One Million Coders Programme to equip Ghanaian youth with digital skills

President John Dramani Mahama has launched the One Million Coders Programme, a national digital skills initiative aimed at training one million Ghanaians over the next four years in coding, cybersecurity, data analytics, and related fields.

Speaking at the launch of the initiative on Wednesday, April 16 2025, Mr Mahama 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,” Mr Mahama said. “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 the program would help address unemployment and open up opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship. 

He added that the first cohort of 560 trainees had already started training in Accra, Kumasi, Sunyani and Bolgatanga. According to him, more than 90,000 applications were received within the first 48 hours after the programme was announced.

Mr Mahama noted that the high level of interest reflects the desire among young Ghanaians to acquire practical skills.

He said the programme would be accessible to people from all backgrounds, including women, rural dwellers, and persons with disabilities.

“We are not just training our youth,” he said. “We are changing the national story from being users of imported technology to creators of our own.”

Mr Mahama also outlined plans to position Ghana as a business process outsourcing destination, pointing to the country’s English-speaking population, central location, and young, tech-minded workforce.

He referenced initiatives in countries such as Estonia, the United Kingdom, Finland, Japan, and the United States, where coding has been introduced at early stages of education.

He said Ghana would learn from these models while tailoring them to local conditions.

According to him, the programme is not only about teaching technical skills but also about encouraging problem-solving, analytical thinking, and collaboration qualities he believes are necessary in today’s world.

He said the government intends to set up training centres in all 261 districts through existing community information centres.