President John Dramani Mahama has declared that this year, 300,000 Ghanaians will receive training under the government’s One Million Coders Programme, which is part of the initiative to enhance digital and artificial intelligence skills throughout the nation.
He made this announcement on Friday, April 24, during the launch of Ghana’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy in Accra, emphasizing that this initiative is a crucial component in preparing the workforce for future demands.
The President noted that a pilot phase conducted last year allowed the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation to evaluate the programme’s readiness for a nationwide implementation.
“The pilot phase of the One Million Coders Programme carried out last year enabled the ministry to gauge readiness for a nationwide rollout. The portal is now accessible, and over 100,000 applications have already been processed,” he stated.
He further mentioned that citizens can now enroll in more than 15 courses across 10 different fields, with learning centres conveniently located within their communities.
“This year, the Ministry aims to train 300,000 Ghanaians as the programme continues to grow. These figures represent more than just numbers; they signify opportunities, employability, and national preparedness,” President Mahama remarked.
He stressed that the development of human capital is fundamental to Ghana’s AI strategy, asserting that the nation must invest in its citizens to fully leverage emerging technologies.
“Youthful potential must be complemented by structured opportunities, which is why education and workforce development are among the core pillars of this strategy. We must prepare our people not only to utilize AI tools but also to create, govern, enhance, and apply them to address our national challenges,” he explained.
President Mahama clarified that the One Million Coders Programme aims to provide young Ghanaians with extensive practical digital and AI skills while fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.
He remarked that the initiative will contribute to the establishment of a robust national talent pipeline and enhance Ghana’s competitive stance in the global digital economy.
