90,000 apply for national coders programme within 48 hours

President John Dramani Mahama has disclosed that more than 90,000 people have applied for the One Million Coders Programme just 48 hours after the portal opened, signaling high demand for digital skills among Ghana’s youth.

Speaking at the official launch in Accra, President Mahama described the response as “overwhelming” and a strong indicator of the urgency to equip young people with 21st-century skills.

“This overwhelming response highlights the hunger for opportunity and the importance of this initiative,” he said.

The programme, which aims to train one million coders across the country, is taking a decentralised approach, with the first cohort of 560 trainees launching in Accra, Kumasi, Sunyani, and Bolgatanga. President Mahama stressed that the selection process reflects a commitment to gender balance, inclusivity, and the involvement of vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities.

“The first cohort of 560 trainees… reflects our commitment to gender balance and regional inclusivity,” he noted.

As part of the long-term vision, the government plans to establish community training centres in all districts, municipalities, and metropolitan areas. The President also underscored the need for digital infrastructure to support the programme, including broadband access, devices, and learning platforms.

“Every layer of this initiative has been designed for skill and sustainability. Let us not underestimate what this represents for our country. We are changing the national narrative from one of limitations to one of limitless potential,” he added.

Communications Minister Sam George echoed these sentiments, highlighting the urgent need to close the digital skills gap in Sub-Saharan Africa, where nearly 60% of youth lack basic digital skills.

“This gap isn’t just a missed opportunity; it’s a barrier to progress, and we must break it down,” he said.

The Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT is leading the content and training development, offering a standardised curriculum across beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Courses include certifications in cybersecurity, network support, data protection, and data analysis.

Sam George revealed that the initial plan was to pilot the programme with 260 students, but the high interest forced a quick expansion.

“We initially planned to pilot with 260 students, but within four hours of the announcement, we had over 4,000 applications, so we expanded the pilot to 520 students,” he explained.

As of the latest update, over 91,000 applications have been received.

The One Million Coders Programme is positioned as a strategic national investment in youth employment and the digital economy. With youth unemployment at 12% and millions of digital jobs expected across Africa by 2030, the initiative seeks to bridge the skills gap and empower Ghana’s next generation.

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