One million Coders Programme is a route to decent jobs, entrepreneurship – President Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has launched the One Million Coders Programme (OMCP), a major digital initiative that aims to train one million Ghanaians in essential digital skills including coding, cybersecurity, data analytics, and networking, over the next four years.
Speaking at the launch on Wednesday, April 16, President Mahama said the programme is not just a fulfilled campaign promise but a bold investment in Ghana’s youth, designed to equip them with the tools to create solutions and secure jobs in the global workforce.
“These are not just technical abilities; they are economic passports—pathways to decent jobs, entrepreneurship, and long-term socio-economic inclusion,” he said.
He emphasized that the programme would help break social, economic, and digital barriers that prevent Ghana from competing globally. To fulfill his mandate of national recovery, this initiative will be people-centered, innovation-led, and future-focused.
The President revealed that within 48 hours of opening applications, over 50,000 young Ghanaians had registered their interest. The first cohort of 560 trainees, which launched in Accra, Kumasi, Sunyani, and Bolgatanga, reflects the initiative’s commitment to gender balance and regional inclusivity.
To ensure equitable access, he announced that training centers will soon be activated across all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies. The programme will also prioritize participation from rural areas, women, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups.
President Mahama assured Ghanaians that government is building the digital infrastructure necessary to support OMCP. These include broadband expansion and the provision of devices and digital learning platforms.
“Every layer of this initiative has been designed for scale and sustainability,” he said.
He also highlighted global examples such as Estonia, which made coding compulsory in primary schools in 2012 and has since become a leader in digital innovation. Other countries like the UK, Finland, Japan, and the US have also integrated coding into their educational systems. This has led them to nurture young generations of problem solvers, critical thinkers, and digital creators.
He explained that if Ghana adapts best practices of these countries, one can change the national narrative. He said that Mr. Sam Nartey George, the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, is already working closely with Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, the Minister of Education to integrate digital literacy and coding into university and technical curricula.
According to him, Ghana’s strategic location, English-speaking advantage, and tech-savvy youth population position it to benefit from the global Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) market, which is currently valued at $410 billion and expected to reach $490 billion by 2029. With the right tools, Ghana can compete with countries like India and the Philippines in offering outsourced services such as software development and customer support.
The OMCP, according to the president, will also empower young Ghanaians to develop digital solutions to local problems in various sectors. This will enable them to create jobs and contribute to the country’s economic, social, and digital development.
While thanking partners and commending the efforts of the Hon. Samuel Nartey George and his team, President Mahama urged the youth to take full advantage of the programme.
“To Our Young People, this programme is for you. 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. You are not just participants in this initiative—you are the architects of Ghana’s digital future.”
