The Deputy Director-General of the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT and national coordinator of the One Million Coders programme, Mohammed Abdul-Aziz, has begun a series of high-level stakeholder meetings ahead of the nationwide rollout of the major digital skills training initiative.

The One Million Coders programme is a national effort designed to equip one million Ghanaians with coding and digital competencies that can drive innovation, support job creation and boost economic growth.

As part of these engagements, Mr Abdul-Aziz led a delegation from GI-KACE to the University of Ghana on Thursday. The visit was to assess the University’s preparedness to serve as a strategic training hub for the programme’s rollout.

The team was received by Prof Olivia A T Frimpong Kwapong, Dean of the School of Continuing and Distance Education, who guided them through the University’s e-learning facilities. The tour included the Assistive Technology Lab, a specialised centre that supports inclusive learning for students with disabilities.

During discussions with the University’s leadership, Mr Abdul-Aziz highlighted the urgency of the national rollout and emphasised the importance of strong institutional partnerships to achieve the President’s vision. He noted that work is already underway to identify and designate training centres across the country to ensure nationwide access.

He stated that the programme expects to achieve broader visibility by the end of the first quarter as training centres are mapped out across various regions. He also indicated that the first phase of training is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026.

Mr Abdul-Aziz later interacted with students during a class session where he encouraged them to take advantage of the initiative. He described it as a free and transformative opportunity offering internationally recognised certification and skills relevant to the future job market.

Prof Frimpong Kwapong reaffirmed the University of Ghana’s support for the initiative, explaining that it aligns with the University’s mission to advance national development through lifelong learning. She noted that the Vice Chancellor has pledged full support and that the University’s network of 11 learning centres across the country creates a strong foundation for large-scale programme delivery.

Representing the Vice Chancellor, the Provost of the College of Education, Prof Samuel Codjoe, also assured the GI-KACE delegation that the University is ready to provide all necessary assistance.

Following the engagements at the University of Ghana, the GI-KACE team visited the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme for further discussions on collaboration. The CEO of NEIP, Eric Adjei, pledged full support and noted that the One Million Coders initiative aligns well with NEIP’s youth employment programme, Adwumawura. He added that NEIP is ready to assist with mobilising participants, outreach efforts and innovation support.

The GI-KACE delegation also included Kobi Hemaa Osisiadan Bekoe, Director of Corporate Affairs, Fredrick Yeboah, Director of Innovation, and Priscilla Hope, Project Manager.

Mohammed Abdul-Aziz, appointed by President John Dramani Mahama to coordinate the initiative, is leading the national effort to prepare one million Ghanaians for the digital economy. The programme is designed for students, working professionals and beginners, with international partners such as Google, MTN and Telecel expected to support certification and digital infrastructure.

With stakeholder engagements progressing steadily, the nationwide rollout is gathering momentum. Training hubs are expected to be announced soon ahead of the projected early 2026 commencement.