Nii Ashitei Ashietey endorses One Million Coders Programme; Calls for ecosystems beyond policy

A Senior Data Analytics Engineer and former public service technocrat, Nii Ashitei Ashietey, has backed the government’s newly launched One Million Coders Programme (OMCP), describing it as a “bold initiative” capable of reversing youth unemployment if properly implemented.

In a passionate endorsement of the programme, Ashietey noted, “If implemented boldly, this initiative can break the cycle of unemployment and equip a generation of thinkers, builders, and problem-solvers.” He praised President John Mahama’s vision but warned that success would hinge on more than just policy commitments.

“It must go beyond paperwork. It must include mentorship, access to infrastructure, and real private sector involvement. Ghana’s youth don’t just need opportunities,” he stressed. “They need ecosystems.”

Ashietey, who now works with one of the world’s largest healthcare companies as a Senior Data Analytics Engineer, is known for his roots in Ghana’s public service through the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT). He has been vocal about the power of combining global expertise with grassroots empowerment.

Drawing on his international experience, Ashietey welcomed OMCP’s potential to build a digitally skilled workforce. But he also challenged policymakers to “think innovatively about how we create real bridges between training and employment.”

“Training people in Python or data science is great start but beyond that we must ask: what happens after the training? Can they find a job? Start a business? Will someone mentor them through the process?” he posed.

The engineer revealed plans to launch a free ICT and Data Analytics Lab in Osu, targeting youth from underserved communities like Teshie, Osu, and Big Ada. The centre, he said, will provide “training, mentorship, and career support — helping students not just learn, but get hired, launch businesses, and lead in their own right.”

Ashietey sees his effort as aligned with the OMCP’s broader goals and encouraged stakeholders to support similar local initiatives that amplify government interventions.

“This is how we build a generation of value creators. Not just job seekers. Not just dreamers — but doers,” he declared.

The One Million Coders Programme, which launched on April 16, 2025, is a flagship national initiative aimed at training young Ghanaians in critical digital skills such as coding, cybersecurity, data analytics, and cloud computing. It has already attracted over 90,000 applicants within the first 48 hours.

President Mahama has positioned the programme as the foundation for Ghana’s digital transformation, declaring: “We are not just teaching code; we are rewriting Ghana’s future.”

For Ashietey, who continues to bridge international innovation with local impact, the future is indeed digital — but only if young Ghanaians are equipped not just with skills, but with belief, opportunity, and sustained support.

“Tech is a tool,” he said. “But confidence is the real currency.”