Ghana stands at
a defining moment in its national journey—one shaped not by gold or cocoa, but
by innovation, creativity, enterprise, and connection. Under the renewed
leadership of H.E President John Dramani Mahama and the dynamism of Hon. Sam
George, Minister for Communication, Digital Technology & Innovations, the
nation is stepping confidently into the future.
The launch of
the 1 Million Coders Initiative is a powerful declaration of intent: to equip
one million Ghanaian youth with digital skills and digital literacy, preparing
them for high- demand roles in the global digital economy. This initiative is
not simply about training—it is about transformation. It seeks to close the
digital divide, democratize opportunity, and future-proof
Ghana’s workforce.
Equally
visionary is the recently announced $1 billion technology hub, a strategic
partnership with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This groundbreaking
collaboration marks one of the most significant foreign direct investments in
Ghana’s technology sector. It promises to create jobs, drive innovation, and
make Ghana a regional leader in tech infrastructure, digital entrepreneurship,
and advanced skills development.
This hub is
more than brick and mortar—it is a symbol of what is possible when leadership
is visionary, bold and strategic. The hub lends credence to policy coherence
and complementarity required to achieve our digital transformation agenda. The
hub will serve as a launchpad for startups, an incubator for ideas, and a
magnet for international investors looking to engage with Africa’s rising
digital ecosystem. So if one is wondering where the 1 million Ghanaians to be trained and equipped with digital skills will end up, there you have it.
In this new age
of digital colonialism, Africa’s digital identity and sovereignty is the
heartbeat of the continent’s development, innovation and independence. Africa’s
digital sovereignty is crucial to its development. From critical infrastructure
ownership to control over data, Africa must be in a position to govern its
digital space without let or hinderance. The continent cannot realise its single
market objective under the Africa Continental Free Trade initiative under the
current digital colonization. And this is why President Mahama’s Reset Agenda
in the digital space is highly commendable. Firstly, realignment of the communications ministry to foster innovation and secondly taking bold and creative initiatives like 1 million coders (digital skills) program and the $1 Billion tech hub to host Africa's biggest innovation hub are second to none.
In President
Mahama and Minister Sam George, Ghana has leaders who recognize that the next
wave of prosperity will be built not on extraction, but on innovation. Their
policies are laying the foundation for a resilient, tech-driven economy—one
that is inclusive, competitive, and future-ready. We cannot realise our digital
sovereignty without digital skills and tools and the necessary infrastructure.
I commend the
bold vision of H.E President Mahama and celebrate the efforts of Hon. Sam
George in the realisation of the vision. I urge all stakeholders—public and
private, local and global—to support this transformative journey. The
realisation of the continent’s digital identity and sovereignty is here!
Thank you,
President John Dramani Mahama
Mobex Africa,
the innovations marketplace
By: George
Spencer Quaye, Mobex Africa
