Minister Samuel Nartey George Expands One Million Coders Programme with Laptop Donation as Telecel Graduates 500 Tech Students

28th July•2 min read•7 sources

The Ghanaian government and private sector partners are significantly scaling up efforts to bridge the digital divide and equip the youth with 21st-century skills. In a major boost to the national digital agenda, the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations has delivered 2,000 additional laptops to the University of Ghana for the One Million Coders Programme (OMCP). Simultaneously, the Telecel Ghana Foundation has celebrated the graduation of its fourth cohort of the DigiTech Academy, producing 500 young tech-savvy innovators from five regions across the country, including the Northern and Western Regions.

The laptop donation at the University of Ghana brings the total number of devices supplied for the programme to 2,500. Minister Samuel Nartey George, speaking during the handover, underscored the government's commitment under President John Mahama to ensuring young Ghanaians are prepared for a technology-driven global economy. The initiative is specifically designed to provide comprehensive training in critical areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, data analytics, and software development. By integrating this programme into the university's curriculum, the government aims to foster an environment where students can develop home-grown solutions to local problems while enhancing their employability in the digital marketplace.

Complementing these high-level academic efforts, the Telecel Ghana Foundation’s DigiTech Academy is targeting the foundational levels of education. The recent graduation of 500 learners from upper primary and junior high schools marks a milestone for the 12-week after-school program. Participants showcased over 80 technology prototypes, ranging from smart wheelchairs to automated community systems. This practical approach to STEM education empowers students to apply robotics, coding, and web design to solve real-world challenges in their immediate environments, with local leaders like Member of Parliament Philip Fiifi Buckman praising the initiative for nurturing future innovators.

A notable highlight of the DigiTech Academy is its focus on gender inclusivity; approximately 70% of the graduates in this cohort are girls, a statistic that reflects a concerted effort to close the gender gap in STEM fields. Since its inception in 2024, the academy has reached roughly 2,800 learners nationwide. The program also includes professional development for teachers, ensuring that the impact of digital literacy extends beyond the students to the wider educational ecosystem. By providing both the hardware through the OMCP and the foundational skills through the DigiTech Academy, Ghana is positioning its youth at the forefront of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

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Minister Samuel Nartey George Expands One Million Coders Programme with Laptop Donation as Telecel Graduates 500 Tech Students

More from education

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