KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY H.E. JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE
REPUBLIC OF GHANA, AT THE LAUNCH OF THE ONE MILLION CODERS
PROGRAMME (OMCP)
GHANA-INDIA KOFI ANNAN CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN ICT (GI-KACE),
ACCRA WEDNESDAY, 16TH APRIL 2025
1
Hon. Samuel Nartey George, Minister for Communication, Digital Technology
& Innovations,
Honourable Ministers,
Honourable Members of Parliament,
Development Partners,
Heads of Institutions,
Executives of the NDC Party,
Young Innovators and Change-Makers,
Civil Society Representatives,
Friends from the Media,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning.
Today marks a defining moment in our national journey. We are not merely launching a programme—we are laying the 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: the future is here— and we will be part of shaping it.
The One Million Coders Programme (OMCP) is not just 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. It is intentional move toward building a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy, one where our greatest resource—our people—are equipped to create solutions, generate jobs, and compete globally.
At the heart of this initiative is our belief in Ghana’s young people. We believe in your creativity, your resilience, and your boundless potential. This programme is an investment in you—an investment in your future as coders, analysts, entrepreneurs, and tech pioneers.
When I asked for your mandate to serve once more, I made a promise: that our national recovery would be people-centered, 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 those barriers. Over the next four years, OMCP will train one million Ghanaians in essential digital skills—from coding and cybersecurity to data analytics and networking. These are not just technical abilities; they are economic passports—pathways to decent jobs,
entrepreneurship, and long-term socio-economic inclusion.
Global Best Practices
We do not walk this path alone. Across the globe, nations that recognised the power of coding early have positioned themselves for extraordinary progress.
Take Estonia, for example. In 2012, it became one of the first countries in the world to introduce coding as a compulsory subject in primary schools. Today, Estonia is a global leader in digital governance and innovation, with one of the world’s most digitally integrated societies.
In the United Kingdom, since 2014, children as young as five have been learning basic programming. This initiative has helped build a new generation of problem solvers and digital creators.
Finland has gone a step further, integrating coding into a broader interdisciplinary learning approach. This model doesn’t just teach code; it teaches young people how to think critically, solve complex problems, and work collaboratively—skills that are essential in every field.
Japan has blended coding into its science and math curriculum, encouraging students to apply digital tools to real-world challenges.
In the United States, coding education is gaining ground across states, with growing support from the private sector and government for nationwide digital literacy.
These are not just anecdotes. These are blueprints—and we are adapting the best of them to the Ghanaian context. Strategic Benefits to Ghana
Ladies and gentlemen, let us consider what this means for our country.
First, job creation and economic growth. As of this year, the global Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) market is valued at $410 billion, projected to grow to nearly $490 billion by 2029. Countries like India and the Philippines dominate this space, offering services in software development, data management, customer support, and more.
Ghana has the potential to be Africa’s premier BPO hub. We are strategically located, 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 outsourced jobs from around the world—jobs that pay well and keep families and communities thriving right here at home.
Second, entrepreneurship and innovation. Coding skills will enable our youth to create apps, launch startups, and develop digital solutions to our local problems— whether in agriculture, health, education, or governance. In this digital era, one idea can transform an entire community—and one startup can create hundreds of jobs.
Third, education and lifelong learning. Through the OMCP, we are not only skilling our youth—we are reshaping our national approach to learning. The Honourable Minister for Communication is already working closely with the Minister for Education to integrate digital literacy and coding into university and technical curricula. The aim is clear: to make digital education not just a short-term initiative, but a permanent, strategic part of our educational system.
Fourth, inclusion. Digital transformation must not leave anyone behind. That is why this programme places a strong emphasis on equity—ensuring access for rural communities, women, persons with disabilities, and others often left on the margins. The first cohort of 560 trainees, launching today in Accra, Kumasi, Sunyani, and Bolgatanga, already reflects our commitment to gender balance and regional inclusivity.
Moreover, within just 48 hours of opening applications, over 50,000 young Ghanaians registered their interest. This overwhelming response is a powerful reminder of the hunger for opportunity and the urgency of our task. Expanding Reach and Building Infrastructure.
In the next phase, we will activate training centres at Community Information Centres across all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies.
This decentralised approach ensures that no matter where you live—in the city or in a remote village—you will have access to this opportunity.
We are also building the digital infrastructure required to support this vision. From broadband expansion to the provision of devices and learning platforms, every layer of this initiative has been designed for scale and sustainability.
Changing the National Narrative
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. From a country that consumes imported technologies to a country that creates its own. From young people waiting for jobs to young people creating jobs. This is how we build a resilient and future-ready Ghana.
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.
To our partners, current and future, thank you for believing in Ghana and investing in our people. Your support amplifies our efforts and accelerates our progress. I call on more organisations, both local and international, to join us in this mission.
To the Hon. Minister and your team, I commend you for the speed, vision, and diligence with which you have pursued this project. You have not only brought a manifesto promise to life—you have ignited hope in millions of Ghanaian hearts.
Fellow citizens,
Technology is not just a tool. It is a force for equality, transparency, and empowerment—if used wisely and inclusively. It can rebuild our institutions, connect our communities, and transform our economy. But to achieve this, it must be accessible to all and guided by a clear national purpose.
This is that purpose. This is Ghana’s moment—to rise, to lead, to shape the future. And so, with pride, and with faith in the extraordinary potential of the Ghanaian people, I officially launch the One Million Coders Programme.
May it serve as a beacon of opportunity for every Ghanaian—and a bold statement to the world that Ghana is ready.
Thank you.
God bless you all, and may God bless our homeland Ghana
