Ghana Charts Bold Path Towards Digitally Empowered Future

The Hon. Deputy Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Hon Mohammed Adam Sukparu has announced that Ghana is charting a bold and inclusive path toward a digitally empowered future.

He made this known in a speech read on behalf of the Sector Minister, Hon. Samuel Nartey George (MP),

According to the Deputy Minister, “Under the leadership of His Excellency, President John Dramani Mahama, Ghana is placing digital technology right at the heart of national development.”

He was speaking at the Pre-Global Data Festival Ghana High-Level Meeting held at Kempinski.

The meeting was attended by dignitaries including Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman, Dr. Korir Sing’Oei, Principal Secretary of Kenya, Columbia’s Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Zia Choudhury, UN Resident Coordinator, and Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, Government Statistician.

The Deputy Minister highlighted the government’s commitment to leveraging technology for economic growth and development, stating that “the government has placed digital technology right at the heart of national development because it drives productivity, creates jobs, and helps us connect better with each other and with the world.”

A key initiative under this vision is the One Million Coders Programme, which aims to equip one million Ghanaians with critical digital skills in coding, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data analytics.

According to the Deputy Minister, “the programme is not just a policy, it is a fulfilled promise,” as outlined in the 2024 NDC Manifesto.

The programme, he said has already shown promising results, with oved 90,000 applications received within 48 hours of launch and 150,000 registered applicants ready to undertake the program.

The Deputy Minister emphasized that “with one million coders and thousands of specialists in AI, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies, Ghana will not merely participate in the global digital economy—we will lead it.”

He said government is also working on other initiatives, including the Draft National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, the Ghana Innovation and Startup Bill, and the Girls-In-ICT Programme, noting, that “the Girls-In-ICT Programme is continuing to make a real difference, with 1,000 girls trained so far and a goal of reaching 3,000 by the end of the year.”

The Deputy Minister called on parents, educators, businesses, policymakers, and youth to work together to build a digitally empowered future for Ghana, stating, “let us rise together and build a future where every Ghanaian has the tools to thrive in the digital age.”

Future Is Digital

In another development, Hon. Sukparu (MP) has reiterated Ghana’s commitment to position itself as Africa’s Digital Trade Hub as the 2025 National ICT Week Celebration opened at the Accra International Conference Centre.

He made this known at an event under the theme: “Ghana as Africa’s Digital Trade Hub – Innovation, Policy and Partnerships for the Future.”

Organized by the National Information Technology Agency (NITA), the celebration brought together innovators, policymakers, and industry partners to showcase Ghana’s strategic location, dynamic youth population, and fast-growing tech ecosystem as drivers of its digital leadership.

Hon. Sukparu outlined key government initiatives shaping a knowledge-driven economy, including the One Million Coders Programme, Ghana Tech Lab (Ghana Digital Centres Limited), and investments in STEM education.

He further announced upcoming policy measures to promote digital inclusion, strengthen cybersecurity, expand e-commerce, and safeguard data, indicating that among the priorities for the next parliamentary session are the presentation of the Innovations and Start-up Bill, which will offer legal and financial incentives for innovation-led enterprises, and amendments to NITA’s legislation to empower the agency as an independent digital regulator.

Underscoring the importance of “digital trust” as the currency of digital trade, the Deputy Minister revealed that NITA has been tasked to collaborate with the National Communications Authority, Cyber Security Authority, and Data Protection Commission to establish a national digital trust framework.

He also mentioned the role of partnerships in advancing Ghana’s vision, citing a recent Memorandum of Understanding with the United Arab Emirates to establish the Ghana-UAE Innovation Hub as a significant step in strengthening global collaboration.

“Looking ahead, the Ministry’s priorities include modernising the regulatory framework, expanding digital infrastructure, promoting universal access, attracting investment in emerging technologies, strengthening skills development, ensuring inclusivity, and deepening regional integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)”, he said

The Deputy Minister called on industry leaders and international partners to collectively invest and innovate to build a trusted digital ecosystem for Africa, reaffirming Ghana’s readiness to lead the continent’s transformation.