At 61, Ali Issaka is proving that age is no barrier to learning and technology has no age limit.
While many his age may be slowing down, the construction worker is back in the classroom, learning how to code under the government’s One Million Coders Programme in the Ashanti Region.
For Ali, the decision is driven by a long-standing interest in information technology and a desire to acquire skills that can improve his daily life and work.
“I have an interest in it, and it is something which came after I left school. I always wanted to learn it to improve upon my daily life. Knowledge too, there is no end in acquiring knowledge, no age limit in acquiring knowledge,” he said.
Ali is among thousands who have enrolled in the programme in the Ashanti Region, with participants joining for different reasons.
For Salomey Seyram Dogbe, a computer science graduate, the programme provides an opportunity to build on her university education.
Although she already holds a degree in Information Technology, Salomey says she believes there is always more to learn in a field that is constantly evolving.
“I just want to get more knowledge and skills on IT. So when I heard about the programme and because it is free, I decided to take the opportunity and so far I’m enjoying it.”
She says her experience has reinforced the importance of continuous learning.
“Don’t ever think that you have enough knowledge and skill, because you may not know. When I came here, there are a lot of new things that I have learned and I am glad I came.”
The programme is being delivered through three main models; purely online learning, online learning with physical support, and face-to-face training with facilitators.
Participants taking the online option can learn from wherever they are, while those who need additional support can use the centre’s laptops and internet facilities.
Others attend the centre to receive direct instruction from facilitators.
The Regional Manager of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), Solomon Anane, says the Ashanti Region is prepared to accommodate more participants.
“The region is more than ready to train as many people as we have. Anybody in his own small way who wants to help, they are welcome.”
GIFEC also plans to expand access beyond the regional centre to communities in the hinterland, particularly areas where people may struggle to travel to access face-to-face training.
“We want to move the centre from here to the hinterland, to the remotest part of the region, so that at least people who cannot afford to come to the centre to do one-on-one will be catered for,” Mr Anane said.
Mr Anane says the programme is fully funded by government, with participants not required to pay fees.
“Millions of dollars have been committed to providing laptops, internet connectivity and well-equipped training centres.”
He is therefore urging more people, particularly young people, to take advantage of the opportunity.
“Nobody is discriminated. That’s why even if you come and you have no knowledge in IT, we are prepared to equip you, give you the basic skill for you to navigate yourself.”
The initiative is expected to equip participants with coding and digital skills to improve their employability, entrepreneurship and participation in the digital economy.
For Ali Issaka, however, the journey is also a reminder that learning does not have an expiry date.
At 61, he is not merely keeping up with technology, he is choosing to learn it and put the knowledge to work.
By Ibrahim Abubakar
