By: Ashiadey Dotse
The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has announced that about 6,500 laptops will be distributed across Ghana as part of the national rollout of the One Million Coders Programme.
Speaking at a laptop presentation ceremony on Friday April, 10, 2026, the Minister said each of the 130 learning centres to be set up nationwide will be equipped with 50 customised laptops, drawn from a government stock of 20,000 devices.
He explained that the programme, launched by President John Dramani Mahama, started as a pilot to test its effectiveness. The pilot initially targeted 500 beneficiaries but attracted nearly 94,000 applications, leading to the early closure of the application portal.
The Minister said, about 1,000 participants were eventually trained, and their performance was assessed to guide improvements before the full rollout.
Mr. George said the nationwide phase will cover all 16 regions, with 130 learning centres aimed at equipping young people with digital skills.
He noted that the programme is focused not only on training but also on preparing participants for employment in the digital economy.
The Minister added that the initiative will also be extended to about 12 universities, including the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and the University of Ghana, among others.
He further stated that the application portal will be reopened, allowing previous applicants to continue their process, while new applicants will go through a verified registration system to reduce fake entries.
Mr. George also highlighted partnerships with the private sector, including MTN Ghana, which has supported the programme with funding for additional laptops.
He assured that the government is committed to ensuring the successful implementation of the programme to build a strong base of skilled ICT professionals in Ghana.
