What began as an ambitious vision to position Ghana not just as a user of technology but as a global digital innovator is now taking shape. At the heart of this vision is the Ghanaian youth, equipped with digital skills to power national development and thrive in the global tech landscape.
This vision took shape on April 16th, 2025, at the Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT, as President John Dramani Mahama officially launched the “One Million Coders” program. The program is part of his administration’s Reset Ghana agenda.
At the launch, President Mahama addressed the audience saying: “Today marks a defining moment in our national journey. We are not merely launching a program, but we are laying a foundation for a new economy.”
With clarity and conviction, he declared: “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 will be part of shaping it.”
The One Million Coders Program (OMCP), he explained, is not merely a fulfilled campaign promise. “It is a strategic pillar of our Reset Ghana agenda, designed to empower Ghanaians with digital skills critical for 21st century life and work.”
Over the next four years, the initiative aims to train one million Ghanaians in key digital competencies, from coding and cybersecurity to data analytics and networking. These skills, according to the President, are more than just tools; they are “economic passports, pathways to decent jobs, entrepreneurship, and long-term social and economic inclusion.”
President Mahama drew inspiration from global success stories in digital education, referencing nations like Estonia, the UK, Finland, Japan and the United States. “These are not just anecdotes, these are blueprints, and we are adapting the best of them to suit the Ghanaian context,” he said, confident that Ghana’s youth can rise to meet the world with innovation and creativity.
The enthusiasm from the Ghanaian public has already been extraordinary. “This overwhelming response is a powerful reminder of the hunger for opportunity and the urgency of the task ahead of us,” he noted, after revealing that over 50,000 applications were received within the first 48 hours of opening registrations, now ballooning to 90,000.
The President assured that the program’s reach would be nationwide. “No matter where you live, in the city or in a remote village, you will have access to the opportunity of the One Million Coders program,” he said, highlighting the use of community information centers across all metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies.
In closing, President Mahama made a heartfelt call to Ghana’s youth: “Take it and own it. Let this be your launchpad into innovation, entrepreneurship and global relevance.” And to the world, he sent a clear message that Ghana is rising to meet the future with digital confidence. “Technology is a force for equality, social mobility, transparency and empowerment if it is used wisely and inclusively.”
