The One Million Coders programme is a flagship digital skills development initiative aimed at equipping Ghanaians, especially the youth, with cutting edge technology skills for the future
The programme focuses on developing skills in areas like software development and business process outsourcing which are expected to drive job creation and economic growth
Officially launching the programmme initiative, today 16 April, 2025 at the Ghana – India Kofi Annan ICT centre in Accra, President John Dramani Mahama said “the One Million Coders programme is not just a fulfilled campaign promise.
He siad “It is a strategic pillar of our Reset Ghana agenda, designed to empower Ghanaians with digital skills critical for 21st century life and work”.
Additionally, 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.
According to President Maham this initiative is government’s belief in Ghanaian youth.
“We believe in your creativity, your resilience and your boundless potential, he added.
President Mahama further stressed that the programme is an investment in the youth, an investment in their future as coders, as analysts, as entrepreneurs and as tech pioneers.
The One Million Coders programme will train one million Ghanaians in essential digital skills, from coding and cybersecurity to data analytics and networking.
“These are not just technical abilities, they are economic passports, pathways to decent jobs, entrepreneurship and long-term social, economic inclusion, President Mahama emphasized
“This model doesn’t just teach coding, it teaches young people how to think critically, solve complex problems and work collaboratively, skills that are essential in every sector of life.
KEY IMPACTS OF THE ONE MILLION CODERS PROGRAMME
First, job creation and economic growth.
As of this year, the global business process outsourcing market was valued at $410 billion, and is projected to reach almost $500 billion by 2029.
Countries like India and the Philippines dominate this space, offering services in software development, data management, customer support and more.
Ghana has the potential to be Africa’s premier business process outsourcing hub.
We are strategically located on the Greenwich Meridian, we are English-speaking, and we have a vibrant tech-savvy youth population.
With the right digital skills and infrastructure, our young people can attract outsourced jobs from around the world, jobs that pay well and keep families and communities thriving right here at home.
The second, entrepreneurship and innovation. Coding skills will enable our youth to create apps, to launch start-ups, develop digital solutions to our local problems, whether in agriculture, in health care, education or governance.
In this digital era, one idea can transform an entire community, and one start-up can create hundreds of jobs.
The third point, education and lifelong learning. Through the One Million Coders Programme, we are not only skilling our youth, we are reshaping our national approach to learning.
The Minister for Communications is already working closely with the Minister of Education to integrate digital literacy and coding into our university and technical school curriculum.
The aim of this is clear, to make digital education not just a short-term initiative, but a permanent strategic part of our educational system.
Fourth point, inclusion.
Digital transformation must not leave anyone behind.
And that is why this One Million Coders Programme places a strong emphasis on equity, ensuring access for rural communities, for women and for persons with disability, and others who are often left on the periphery.
The first cohort of 560 trainees, launched simultaneously in Accra, Kumasi, Sunyane and Bogotanga, already reflects government’s commitment to gender balance and regional inclusivity.
