President Mahama launches One Million Coders Initiative; urges youth to own it

President John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday launched the Government’s One Million Coders Initiative in Accra, urging the youth to own it.
“To the youth of Ghana, I say this programme is for you. Take it and own it.
Let this be your launchpad into innovation, entrepreneurship, and global relevance. Let this be the bridge between your dreams and the opportunities of the digital age,” President Mahama stated.

“You are not just participants in this initiative, you are the architects of Ghana’s digital future.”
The Initiative, being implemented by the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, is taking effect within the Government’s 120-Day Social Contract Period, seeks to empower Ghanaians with the skills of the future – coding and digital skills.
Courses being offered include Certify Cybersecurity Professional, Certified Network Support Technician (CNST), Data Analyst Associate, Certified Data Protection Supervisor, Certified Data Protection Practitioner (CDPP) and Certified Data Protection Officer.
The training is taking place at Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT learning centres in Accra, Kumasi, Sunyani and Bolgatanga, which will soon be scaled up to other regions of the country.

The programme launch covers the first cohort of 560 trainees, which are in Accra, Kumasi, Sunyani, and Bolgatanga, reflecting the Government’s commitment to gender balance and regional inclusivity.
President Mahama in his remarks said: “Today marks a defining moment in our national journey. We’re not merely launching a programme, but we’re laying a foundation for a new economy. We’re declaring with boldness and purpose that Ghana is ready to lead in the digital age.”
“We’re saying to our youth, to our communities, to the continent, and to the world that the future is here and we’ll be part of shaping it.”
The President said the One Million Coders programme was not just a fulfilled campaign promise; stating that it was a strategic pillar of their Reset Ghana agenda, designed to empower Ghanaians with digital skills, critical for 21st century life and work.
“It is an intentional move towards building a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy. One where our greatest resource, our people, are equipped to create solutions, generate jobs, and be able to compete globally,” President Mahama said.
“At the heart of this initiative is our belief in Ghanaian youth. We believe in your creativity, your resilience, and your boundless potential.”

He said the programme was an investment in the nation’s youth, an investment in their future as coders, as analysts, as entrepreneurs, and as tech pioneers.
“When I asked for your mandate to serve once more as President, I made a promise that our national recovery will be people-centered, innovation-led, and future-focused.”
Adding that that recovery begins by breaking down the barriers that hold Ghanaians back – Social, economic, and digital.
“Today, we begin breaking down those barriers. Over the next four years, the One Million Coders programme will train one million Ghanaians in essential digital skills; from coding and cybersecurity to data analytics and networking”.
President Mahama said these were not just technical abilities; stating that they were economic passports, pathways to decent jobs, entrepreneurship, and long-term social, economic inclusion.
“We do not walk this path alone. Across the globe, nations that recognize the power of coding early have positioned themselves for extraordinary progress,” he said.
Citing Estonia, President Mahama said in 2012, Estonia became one of the first countries in the world to introduce coding as a compulsory subject, as low as primary schools.
“Today, Estonia is a global leader in digital governance and innovation, with one of the world’s most digitally integrated societies.”
He said in the United Kingdom, since 2014, children as young as five had been learning basic programming.
The President said this initiative had helped build a new generation of problem solvers and digital creators.
Other countries the President cited for their advancement in coders’ programing including Finland, the United Kingdom, Japan, the United States, India and the Philippines.
The President said within just 48 hours of opening applications for the Government’s Coders’ Initiative, over 50,000 young Ghanaians registered their interest, stating that the Communications Minister had updated that figure to 90,000.
He reiterated that this overwhelming response was a powerful reminder of the hunger for opportunity and the urgency of the task ahead of the Government.
Mr Samuel Nartey George, the Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, described the Government’s Coders’ Initiative as a bold and transformative initiative that marked a new chapter in Ghana’s digital journey.
GNA