HE President John Dramani Mahama has officially launched the One Million Coders Program (OMCP), a bold initiative aimed at transforming Ghana’s digital landscape and repositioning the country as a continental tech hub.
The launch, which took place at the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence, marks a pivotal moment in Ghana’s national development, with the President declaring that the initiative would serve as the foundation for a future-ready economy driven by knowledge, innovation, and youth empowerment.
“We are not merely launching a program, but we are laying a foundation for a new economy. We are declaring with boldness and purpose that Ghana is ready to lead in the digital age.
“We are 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.”
HE President John Dramani Mahama
The One Million Coders Program is a central pillar of President Mahama’s Reset Ghana Agenda, a people-centred, innovation-led roadmap for national recovery and transformation.
Over the next four years, President Mahama noted that the initiative will provide digital skills training for one million Ghanaians, focusing on areas such as software development, cybersecurity, data analytics, and networking.
At the heart of this landmark program, according to the President, is a deep belief in the capabilities of Ghana’s youth.
“When I ask for your mandate to serve once more as President, I made a promise that our national recovery will be people-centred, innovation-led and future-focused. And that recovery begins by breaking down the barriers that hold us back, social, economic, and digital. Today, we begin breaking down those barriers.”
HE President John Dramani Mahama
The launch of OMCP aligns with Ghana’s ambition to build a globally competitive, digitally skilled workforce.
According to President Mahama, coding and digital literacy are no longer optional skills but economic passports—gateways to decent jobs, entrepreneurship, and long-term inclusion in the global digital economy.
Global Inspiration, Ghanaian Context
The President cited successful international models of digital transformation to highlight the viability and urgency of Ghana’s path.
He noted that Estonia, for example, integrated coding into primary education as early as 2012 and is now a global leader in digital governance.
Similarly, in the United Kingdom, since 2014, children as young as five have been learning basic programming, with the President noting that this initiative has helped build a new generation of problem solvers and digital creators as part of its national development strategies.
“Finland has gone a step further, integrating coding into a broader interdisciplinary learning approach. 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.
“Japan has blended coding into its science and maths curriculum, encouraging students to apply digital tools to real-world challenges. And in the United States, coding education is gaining ground across states with growing support from the private sector and government for nationwide digital literacy.”
HE President John Dramani Mahama
These, according to President Mahama, are not just anecdotes, but rather are blueprints, stressing that his administration is adapting the best of them to suit the Ghanaian context.
Job Creation and Economic Growth
One of the program’s most compelling promises lies in its potential to create jobs and stimulate economic growth.
President Mahama pointed out that the global Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) market, valued at $410 billion in 2024, is expected to reach nearly $500 billion by 2029.
He disclosed that countries like India and the Philippines dominate this space by leveraging digital skills to provide services such as software development and data management.
“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 our source jobs from around the world. Jobs that pay well and keep families and communities thriving right here at home.”
HE President John Dramani Mahama
Beyond employment, the One Million Coders Program (OMCP) is also expected to unlock new frontiers in entrepreneurship.
By equipping young Ghanaians with digital tools, President Mahama posited that the program seeks to empower them to create mobile apps, launch startups, and develop local solutions to pressing challenges in sectors like agriculture, healthcare, education, and governance.
“In the digital era, one idea can transform an entire community. One startup can create hundreds of jobs. This program will inspire that level of creativity and innovation across all regions of Ghana.”
HE President John Dramani Mahama
Revamping Education for the 21st Century
The President also emphasised that the program would have far-reaching implications for the national education system.
He revealed that the Ministries of Education and Communications, working in partnership, will integrate digital literacy and coding into the curricula of universities and technical institutions.
According to the President, the ambitious program aims to make digital education not just a short-term initiative, but a permanent strategic part of Ghana’s educational system.
Finally, inclusivity stands as a core pillar of the One Million Coders Program. President Mahama stressed the importance of ensuring equitable access to digital education, particularly for rural communities, women, and persons with disabilities—groups often left behind in technology programs.
The President emphasised that the first cohort of 560 trainees, launching simultaneously in Accra, Kumasi, Sunyani, and Bolgatanga, is already reflective of this inclusive approach, with significant gender representation and regional diversity.
“Moreover, within just forty-eight hours of opening applications, over 50,000 young Ghanaians, the minister has updated that figure to 90,000. This overwhelming response is a powerful reminder of the hunger for opportunity and the urgency of the task ahead of us.
“In the next phase, we will activate training centres at community information centres across all metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies”.
HE President John Dramani Mahama
This, according to President Mahama, would ensure that Ghanaians, regardless of location, can benefit from the program.
The long-term success of the OMCP hinges on robust digital infrastructure. President Mahama revealed that his administration is already working on broadband expansion, device distribution, and the development of scalable learning platforms to support the training ecosystem.
“Every layer of this initiative has been designed for scale and sustainability,” he said.
Ultimately, President Mahama framed the One Million Coders Program as a defining shift in Ghana’s national identity—from consumers of imported technologies to creators of homegrown digital solutions.
“We are changing the national narrative from one of limitations to one of limitless potential. From young people waiting for jobs to young people creating jobs. This is how to build a resilient and future-ready Ghana.”
HE President John Dramani Mahama
The President ended his address with a heartfelt charge to the Ghanaian youth, urging them to take advantage of the ambitious program.
“Take this program and own it. Let it be your launchpad into innovation, entrepreneurship, and global relevance. You are not just participants—you are the architects of Ghana’s digital future.”
HE President John Dramani Mahama
He also extended gratitude to partners, stakeholders, and the Minister of Communications and his team for their vision and diligence in executing the project.
“You have not only brought a manifesto promise to life, you have ignited hope in millions of young Ghanaian hearts.”
HE President John Dramani Mahama
As the program officially kicks off, the government is actively seeking partnerships from local and international organisations to sustain and expand its reach.
President Mahama reiterated that technology, when used inclusively and wisely, can be a force for equality, social mobility, and institutional reform.
“This is Ghana’s moment to rise, to lead, and to shape the future. And so, with pride and with faith in the extraordinary potential of the Ghanaian people, it is my honour and privilege to officially declare the One Million Coders Program duly launched.
“May it serve as a beacon of opportunity for every Ghanaian—and a signal to the world that Ghana is ready.”
HE President John Dramani Mahama
Indeed, as the country embraces the digital age, the One Million Coders Program may prove to be one of the most transformative investments in Ghana’s socio-economic history, powered by its most valuable resource: its people.
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