Ghana Embarks on One Million Coders Programme to Boost Digital Skills
The One Million Coders Programme (OMCP) is poised to significantly enhance Ghana’s digital transformation agenda by cultivating a skilled workforce adept in software development, artificial intelligence, and remote digital employment opportunities.
In a decisive move, the Government of Ghana commenced a nationwide implementation of the One Million Coders Programme on April 10, 2026.
This initiative, which includes the distribution of laptops to educational institutions and training centres, falls under the auspices of the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations.
Initially launched almost a year prior by President John Dramani Mahama at the prestigious Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT, the programme began as a pilot project geared towards training 500 participants across Accra, Kumasi, Sunyani, and Tamale.
The pilot phase garnered extraordinary interest, receiving around 94,000 applications within a mere 48 hours, compelling an expansion to accommodate approximately 1,000 trainees.
Insights gleaned from the pilot phase have been instrumental in shaping the national rollout, ensuring the programme fosters practical digital skills and offers substantial employment pathways for its participants, according to the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations.
During its inaugural phase, the programme will operate across 130 educational centres distributed throughout all 16 regions of Ghana. Each centre will boast 50 specialised laptops, meticulously configured for coding and digital training.
This expansive rollout is a collaborative effort involving key organisations, including the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), Ghana Digital Centres Limited, and the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT.
A dozen universities, such as the University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and the University of Cape Coast, will actively participate in this initial phase.
Noteworthy private sector support has emerged, particularly from MTN Ghana, which has pledged resources valued at approximately US$2 million to facilitate laptop procurement for selected institutions.
Moreover, the Ministry has announced the impending reopening of the application portal, allowing prior applicants to finalise their registration alongside new candidates via an enhanced verification system linked to the Ghana Card.
Additionally, 130 constituency-level coordinators have been appointed to oversee training centres and provide crucial technical support, with aspirations to extend coverage to every constituency nationwide.
Ultimately, the One Million Coders Programme is anticipated to play a pivotal role in Ghana’s digital advancement, equipping a talented workforce for burgeoning opportunities in software development, artificial intelligence, and remote digital employment.
Source link: Techafricanews.com.
