As part of preparations toward the national rollout of the One Million Coders Initiative, the Deputy Director-General of the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (GI-KACE), Hon. Mohammed Abdul-Aziz, has paid a working visit to the University of Ghana (UG) to assess the institution’s readiness to serve as a key training hub for the programme.
The visit, which took place last Thursday, formed part of broader stakeholder consultations being led by Hon. Abdul-Aziz, who was appointed by H.E. President John Dramani Mahama to coordinate the implementation of the digital skills programme aimed at training one million Ghanaians in coding and digital technologies.
Productive Engagement with University Leadership
Hon. Abdul-Aziz and his team were received by Prof. Olivia A.T. Frimpong Kwapong, Dean of the School of Continuing and Distance Education (SCDE), under the College of Education. The delegation toured various facilities on campus, including ICT-enabled classrooms, digital learning labs, and the Assistive Technology (AT) Unit, which supports learners with disabilities.
During the discussions, Hon. Abdul-Aziz emphasized the need for institutional readiness, stressing that the programme aims to reach communities across the country by leveraging existing academic infrastructure. “We aim to kick-start training in the first quarter of 2026. Our strategy includes designating training centres based on proximity, and the University of Ghana’s national reach makes it a strong candidate to serve as one of our primary hubs,” he said.
UG Commits to National Development Agenda
Prof. Frimpong Kwapong expressed the University’s strong commitment to the programme, stating that the initiative aligns with UG’s broader goal of contributing to national development through lifelong learning. “We are ready to partner with GI-KACE to make this project a success. The Vice Chancellor has pledged full institutional support, and our eleven learning centres across the country are available to support implementation,” she stated.
The visit also included a surprise encounter with a class in session, during which Hon. Abdul-Aziz personally encouraged students to register for the One Million Coders programme when it launches. “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to gain future-ready skills and global certification. I urge all students to take full advantage of it,” he said.
The Provost of the College of Education, Prof. Samuel Codjoe, added his endorsement, affirming the College’s willingness to provide both technical and administrative support for the programme.