The Ghanaian government has re-strategized its One Million Coders Programme (OMCP) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). The programme will now target final-year and third-year students instead of first-year students. This adjustment aims to equip graduates with job-ready digital and artificial intelligence (AI) skills immediately before they enter the workforce.
This shift addresses a potential lag between early training and employment, ensuring students can apply their skills directly upon graduation. The Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Sam George, highlighted this during a visit to OMCP centres at KNUST. He stated that the change would close the gap between training and actual employment needs.
This initiative is part of Ghana's broader economic strategy to enhance digital literacy and reduce youth unemployment. Equipping graduates with relevant tech skills is crucial for the nation's digital economy growth. Previous government efforts have focused on similar digital transformation agendas across various sectors.
Minister Sam George explained the rationale for the change. He noted that if a Level 100 student completes the programme, there could be a significant time gap before they graduate. This gap might lead to a decline in skill retention and practical application. The government is also collaborating with a team from Harvard University to conduct a skills gap analysis. This analysis will ensure the training aligns with employer demands and the evolving AI industry.
The government plans to provide KNUST with an additional 2,000 laptops to expand access to the OMCP. This adds to the 500 laptops previously supplied to support the university's training centres. The Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Professor Christian Agyare, welcomed the government's commitment. He assured the Minister that the university possesses the necessary expertise and infrastructure to support the enhanced programme.
Professor Agyare confirmed that KNUST has already enrolled approximately 1,444 participants in the training. He praised the proposed shift to third and fourth-year students as a practical approach to preparing graduates for the job market. The university is also taking steps to manage the laptops effectively and ensure students without personal devices can access the programme through designated university centres.
Furthermore, Minister George urged universities and traditional authorities to lead in developing Ghanaian AI language models. He warned that indigenous African languages risk marginalisation if AI systems are developed without local knowledge. KNUST, located in the Ashanti Region, is well-positioned to lead the development of AI language models for Twi, given its proximity to traditional authorities who preserve local languages and cultural knowledge. This focus on local language models aims to build Ghana's capacity and reduce dependence on foreign institutions.
The One Million Coders Programme is a key component of the government's drive to expand digital skills training. It prepares young Ghanaians for opportunities within the rapidly growing digital economy. This strategic investment in human capital is vital for Ghana's long-term economic competitiveness and job creation.