President John Dramani Mahama has revealed that within just 48 hours of opening applications for the One Million Coders Programme, 90,000 individuals have already applied, demonstrating the overwhelming demand for digital skills among Ghanaian youth.

At the official launch in Accra, President Mahama stated that the programme would take a decentralised approach, ensuring that training would be available across the country, from metropolitan cities to remote villages.

"The first cohort of 560 trainees launching today in Accra, Kumasi, Sunyani, and Bolgatanga reflects our commitment to gender balance and regional inclusivity," he noted.

He also highlighted the inclusion of vulnerable groups, such as people with disabilities, who are often left on the periphery of such opportunities.

President Mahama emphasised that the response to the programme is a clear indication of the urgency to provide opportunities for young people.

"This overwhelming response highlights the hunger for opportunity and the importance of this initiative," he said. He outlined plans to expand the programme further, with community training centres being established across all districts, municipalities, and metropolitan areas.

He also discussed the digital infrastructure needed to support the programme, from broadband expansion to providing learning platforms and devices.

"Every layer of this initiative has been designed for skill and sustainability," he stated. "Let us not underestimate what this represents for our country. We are changing the national narrative from one of limitations to one of limitless potential."

Communications Minister Sam George also addressed the importance of digital training in addressing skills gaps in Sub-Saharan Africa, where nearly 60% of young people lack basic digital skills.

"This gap isn't just a missed opportunity; it's a barrier to progress, and we must break it down," he said. The One Million Coders Programme aims to provide comprehensive coding and digital skills training, initially in four locations, with plans to expand nationwide.

The Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT is leading the content creation and training for the programme, which includes a standardised curriculum across beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Courses include certifications in cybersecurity, network support, data protection, and data analysis.

"We initially planned to pilot with 260 students, but within four hours of the announcement, we had over 4,000 applications, so we expanded the pilot to 520 students," Sam George explained. As of the latest update, over 91,000 applications have been received.

The initiative is a strategic investment in Ghana’s youth, equipping them with in-demand digital skills that align with the jobs projected to be created in the digital economy.

Despite a youth unemployment rate of 12%, the digital economy is expected to generate millions of new jobs across Africa by 2030, presenting a significant opportunity for the nation's youth.