Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George has disclosed that about 140,000 people have registered for the government’s One Million Coders Programme, with authorities projecting a significant increase in enrolment before the end of the year.
According to the Minister, about 10,000 participants have already completed their courses, while some have progressed to a second phase of the programme.
Speaking during a nationwide tour of telecommunications infrastructure in the Eastern Region, Sam George said enrolment is expected to rise sharply following agreements reached with universities across the country.
He disclosed that the government has signed agreements with 12 universities, with negotiations ongoing with about 10 additional institutions.
The University of Ghana and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), he said, have made the programme compulsory for their Level 100 students.
“University of Ghana has made the One Million Coders a compulsory course for all Level 100s. The same has been done by KNUST,” he said.
Mr George noted that the University of Ghana alone has nearly 40,000 Level 100 students in the current academic year, suggesting a substantial increase in enrolment once institutional participation begins.
He said the 12 universities could collectively contribute nearly 100,000 additional participants, while the government is also beginning the process of onboarding senior high schools.
Several senior high schools, including PRESEC and Bright Senior High School, have reportedly expressed interest in joining the programme.
The Minister said the government expects the number of students enrolled in the programme to reach between 300,000 and 400,000 before the end of the year.
He explained that making the courses compulsory in tertiary institutions would ensure that students acquire digital skills as part of their academic progression.
Beyond students, he urged members of the public to take advantage of the programme, stressing that registration is free.
He encouraged individuals, including parents, workers and young people, to register and acquire digital skills through the initiative.
The Minister said the government’s broader objective is to equip a large segment of the population with digital skills as part of President John Mahama’s flagship programmes.
