A major step toward President John Dramani Mahama’s flagship “One Million Coders” programme has been taken in the Western Region, with the arrival of 450 laptops ready to train hundreds of young people in digital skills.
The Western Regional Coordinating Council, led by the Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, officially received the laptops and immediately handed them over to the Regional Manager of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), Isaac Quayson.
The computers will be distributed to nine out of the fourteen Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the region. Each of the nine beneficiary districts will receive fifty laptops.
Speaking at the brief handing-over ceremony, Mr. Nelson expressed excitement about the rollout.
“I am thrilled to be part of this delivery. The President has once again fulfilled his promise to the youth of this nation,” he said.
He assured that young people who have already been selected for the program will receive the training as promised by the government.
“These skills will help them better their lives and prepare them for the digital economy. This is not just about laptops it is about opportunity,” the Regional Minister added.
With five districts yet to benefit in this first phase, Mr. Nelson called for calm and understanding.
“To the other districts that are not included in this batch, I urge you to exercise patience. Your turn will come,” he said.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that no district is left behind as the One Million Coders initiative rolls out across the region.
Isaac Quayson, the Western Regional Manager of GIFEC, who received the laptops on behalf of the agency, had a direct message for the youth.
“I urge all young people to take advantage of this initiative. Enroll, learn, and better yourselves,” he said.
He also gave assurance that the laptops would be put to proper use.
“We will ensure that these devices serve their intended purpose to equip our youth with the digital skills they need for the future,” Mr. Quayson added.
The nine beneficiary MMDAs are expected to receive their fifty laptops each in the coming days, with training sessions scheduled to begin shortly afterward.
The One Million Coders program, a flagship promise of President Mahama, aims to train one million young Ghanaians in coding and other digital skills, making them job-ready for a rapidly evolving global economy.
By Ebenezer Atiemo
