Kwesimintsim MP urges residents to embrace free digital skills training under 1 Million Coders programme

The Member of Parliament for Kwesimintsim, Philip Fiifi Buckman, has urged residents of the constituency to take advantage of a newly commissioned Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre to acquire digital skills and improve their employment prospects.

The facility, equipped with 50 laptops and internet access, forms part of efforts to support the government’s One Million Coders Programme, a flagship initiative aimed at training one million Ghanaians in coding and digital skills over four years.

The programme seeks to enhance employability, promote innovation and equip citizens with the competencies needed to participate in the rapidly expanding digital economy.

Speaking at the commissioning of the centre in Kwesimintsim, on Monday October 19, Lawyer Buckman said the growing importance of technology made digital literacy essential for people seeking to remain competitive in the job market.

He disclosed that the initiative followed President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to train one million coders, with the Ministry responsible for digitalisation engaging Members of Parliament to support the decentralisation of the programme through the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC).

Mr Buckman said he successfully lobbied for 50 laptops to establish the centre in the constituency.

He explained that although a building had previously been constructed for an ICT centre by former MP Joe Danquah, it had been used for other purposes. The opportunity presented by the One Million Coders Programme enabled him to refurbish the facility and equip it for its intended purpose.

The MP stressed that the training would be free and open to everyone, regardless of educational background or professional status.

He encouraged parents to ensure that children and young people use the facility in the evenings, school vacations and holidays to develop valuable digital competencies.

On sustainability, Mr Buckman said the government had assigned a full-time staff member to manage the centre, while he had independently engaged a security guard to help protect the equipment and facility.

He appealed to residents to take collective responsibility for safeguarding the centre to ensure that it remained operational and benefited future generations.

The Western Regional Manager of GIFEC, Isaac Guaisie, said the training programme had been designed to accommodate people with different levels of technological knowledge and experience.

He said the centre had been equipped with computers, internet connectivity and other necessary resources to facilitate learning, adding that participants could choose programmes suited to their interests.

“Whether you are a market woman, a taxi driver, a student, a professional or in the corporate world, you can have access to the lab,” Mr Guaisie said.

He explained that coordinators would be available to assist participants with registration and tuition, urging residents to enrol and make full use of the free training opportunities.

Mr Guaisie also assured the public that measures had been put in place to maintain the equipment and ensure that all 50 computers remained functional.

He said coordinators had been instructed to report faults immediately rather than attempt unauthorised repairs, allowing GIFEC’s technical team to address problems promptly.

Mr Guaisie emphasised that the long-term success of the initiative would depend partly on the community’s willingness to protect the facility and its equipment.

He warned that theft or damage to the computers could undermine the programme and deprive residents of opportunities to develop essential digital skills.

According to him, community members living near the centre must remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to help prevent break-ins and safeguard the investment.

He noted that while GIFEC and its coordinators would oversee the facility’s operations, community participation was equally important, particularly outside official working hours.

The commissioning of the Kwesimintsim ICT centre is expected to expand access to digital education and provide residents with an opportunity to develop skills relevant to employment, entrepreneurship and participation in Ghana’s growing digital economy.

By Ebenezer Atiemo