Government distributes 8,500 laptops to One Million Coders training centres

The government has distributed 8,500 laptops to training centres participating in the One Million Coders Programme as part of efforts to expand digital skills training and improve access to technology education across Ghana.

The announcement was made by Fred Yeboah, Director of Research and Innovation at GI-KACE and a member of the programme’s implementation committee, during an interview on the Joy Super Morning Show.

According to Mr Yeboah, the laptops are intended to support learning centres involved in the initiative rather than being distributed directly to individual trainees.

“We have already distributed 8,500 laptops,” he stated, explaining that the devices are meant to help participants who may not own personal computers or have reliable access to digital tools.

He noted that all 158 accredited centres currently participating in the programme have received laptops to facilitate training activities. In addition to the devices, internet connectivity is also being deployed to ensure smooth online learning and improve access to digital resources for students across the country.

The One Million Coders Programme is one of the government’s flagship digital transformation initiatives aimed at equipping thousands of young Ghanaians with technology-related skills. The programme forms part of broader efforts to address youth unemployment, promote innovation, and strengthen Ghana’s growing digital economy.

Mr Yeboah explained that the programme uses multiple learning models to accommodate participants from different educational backgrounds and geographical locations.

According to him, some of the courses are designed as self-paced modules that can be completed using personal devices such as smartphones, tablets, or laptops. Other courses, however, require participants to attend designated training centres for either online or in-person instruction.

“For all the 158 centres that I’ve mentioned, all of them have been provided with laptops,” he emphasized.

He further disclosed that 16 centres — one located in each region of Ghana — have been selected to pilot face-to-face training sessions with dedicated instructors stationed on site to provide direct support to learners.

The expansion of digital learning infrastructure comes at a time when there have been increasing calls for the government to bridge the digital divide and create more practical opportunities for young people to gain employable technology skills.

Industry stakeholders believe initiatives such as the One Million Coders Programme could play a significant role in preparing Ghana’s workforce for opportunities in software development, cybersecurity, data analytics, digital entrepreneurship, and other emerging technology sectors.