Ghana’s ambitious plan to train one million youth in digital skills has received an overwhelming response, with more than 90,000 young Ghanaians applying for the programme within days of its launch far exceeding expectations for the pilot phase.
The Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, revealed the figures during the official unveiling ceremony of the initiative in Accra.
“Mr. President, we planned to do the pilot with 260 students. But within the first four hours of announcing, we had over 4,000 applications. We decided to do a double track and do 520. As of this morning, about 30 minutes ago, the number of applications we have received is 91,847,” the Minister said, addressing President John Dramani Mahama.
He lauded the President’s leadership, describing the initiative as a bold and visionary move aimed at reshaping Ghana’s digital landscape and tackling the persistent challenge of youth unemployment.
“All the courses published for this program will have fundamentals of coding embedded in the course delivery. There will also be elective coding courses to be run as part of the entire program. And all the courses will be run simultaneously in all the regions,” George explained.
The initiative is closely tied to the Mahama administration’s 24-hour economy policy, positioning it as a strategic investment in the future of Ghana’s youth. With youth unemployment estimated at over 12%, the government is betting on the digital economy as a key engine for job creation and long-term growth.
“By partnering with the private sector, we’re not only expanding access to opportunity but also ensuring relevance. Training one million coders is more than a number. It’s a commitment to innovation, problem solving, and preparing our youth to drive Ghana’s industrialization and economic diversification from the front lines,” the minister added.
