MOBEX Africa 2026: One Million Coders Programme must create jobs – Julius Debrah
Chief of Staff at the Office, Dr Julius Debrah, has stressed the need for Ghana’s One Million Coders Programme to translate digital skills training into jobs, entrepreneurship and productive economic opportunities for young people. He said the country must move beyond training and certification to ensure that beneficiaries can apply their skills to real-world challenges […]
Dr Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff at the Office, emphasized the necessity for Ghana's One Million Coders Programme to convert digital skills training into actual jobs, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunities for the youth. He argued that Ghana should move past merely training and certifying individuals, ensuring they can apply their skills to real-life challenges and contribute meaningfully to the digital economy.
During the MOBEX Africa 2026 conference, Dr Debrah highlighted that Ghana's digital transformation requires investments in both people and infrastructure, such as networks, data systems, skills, and institutions to foster technological advancements for national development. He stressed that merely having digital infrastructure is insufficient; it must empower people to access and derive benefits from it.
Dr Debrah described the One Million Coders Programme as a crucial investment in Ghana's digital future, capable of equipping young individuals with skills in coding, artificial intelligence, data analytics, cybersecurity, and other practical fields. He praised the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Sam George, for implementing the program's training at centers and facilities nationwide, and commended the initiative of providing 2,000 more laptops for 40 new learning centers at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
Dr Debrah stressed that no one's location should dictate their ability to participate in Ghana's technology sector; all should have equal opportunities. He warned that the program's success should not be measured solely by the number of trained individuals or certificates awarded. Dr Debrah suggested that the next step should involve connecting trained participants to employment opportunities within Ghanaian businesses, public institutions, and international companies, as well as facilitating internships, remote work, and business process outsourcing.
He also encouraged the development of technology-driven businesses to tackle issues in agriculture, healthcare, education, transport, finance, and local government, enabling young developers and data analysts to create practical solutions that enhance service delivery, bolster businesses, and promote economic growth.
Written by urgent.news from Joy Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
