Accra, Ghana – The President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, has emphasized that coding education is gaining significant traction globally and is becoming central to the push for nationwide digital literacy.
According to him, countries around the world have embraced coding, and it is yielding transformative results—something Ghana must also actively pursue.
He stated that the achievements of these countries are not merely anecdotal but serve as blueprints Ghana can adapt to suit its unique context.
Speaking at the launch of the One Million Coders Programme (OMCP) on Wednesday, April 16, 2024, at the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (GI-KACE), Accra, President Mahama outlined four key benefits Ghana stands to gain by integrating coding into its school curriculum:
1. Job Creation and Economic Growth
“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.”
2. 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.”
3. 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.”
4. 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.”
So far, the One Million Coders Programme has received an overwhelming 91,000 applications—and counting.
This milestone marks a major step forward in President Mahama’s digital transformation agenda and reflects widespread national interest in a tech-driven future for Ghana.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh (#RomeoWrites
) / Ahotoronline.com | Ghana 
