Telecel Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation to train 100,000 Ghanaian youth over four years through the Startocode learning platform in support of the government’s flagship 1 Million Programmers Programme, launched by President John Mahama in April 2025. The agreement was formally signed on December 10, 2025 at the Ministry’s headquarters in Accra.
The partnership will provide free access to digital skills training aimed at preparing young people for Ghana’s rapidly evolving technology environment. Trainees will have access to courses covering web development, Python programming, data analysis, and digital entrepreneurship, as well as mentorship and community engagement activities to enhance career readiness.
Moh Damush, Chief Executive Officer of Telecel Group, said the partnership advances the company’s goal of increasing Africa’s participation in the global technology ecosystem. He said that working with the ‘One Million Coders’ initiative will equip tens of thousands of young people with the digital and coding skills essential to Ghana’s growing digital economy, enabling Ghana to lead the future of the digital ecosystem that will reshape Africa.
Communications Minister Sam George welcomed the partnership as a decisive step forward in closing Ghana’s digital skills gap. He stressed that the 1 Million Programmers Program aims to unlock digital potential and create sustainable career paths for young people, and expressed pride in working with forward-thinking partners like Telecel who share the government’s vision of inclusive digital empowerment.
Startocode is a multilingual, self-paced learning suite that combines interactive modules and real-world projects to help learners develop practical, work-ready skills. The platform has already trained thousands of African youth and is designed to reach communities with limited access to formal technical training. Multilingual functionality allows for broader access by overcoming language barriers and reaching diverse students across Ghana.
The platform offers flexible learning combined with mentorship and practical projects, ensuring an efficient and engaging educational experience. The course focuses on practical application as well as theoretical knowledge, preparing graduates for immediate employment opportunities in the digital economy.
Telecel Group said the partnership is in line with its broader social impact strategy focused on digital inclusion, health development and environmental sustainability across African markets. The company has positioned itself as a long-term partner in Ghana’s digital transformation, and is committed to continued investment in connectivity infrastructure, mentoring young innovators and supporting the broader technology ecosystem.
Telecommunications companies have demonstrated their continued commitment to digital skills development through multiple initiatives. Through DigiTech Academy, Telecel has trained approximately 2,000 upper primary and secondary school students in 13 regions in robotics, coding, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), and digital marketing. Many young graduates have the ability to build prototypes for smart home systems, automated farm harvesters, and web applications that address challenges such as malnutrition and mental health.
Komla Buami, Director of External Affairs at Telecel Ghana, spoke on the theme “When Tradition Meets Innovation” at the 2025 Tech in Ghana conference held recently at Manhyia Palace. He said Ghana’s next digital leap depends on bold investment in the next generation of thinkers and makers, arguing that connectivity alone will not be enough without investment in innovators.
Telecel has also addressed gender disparities in engineering through the Women in Engineering Student Scholarship Program (FESSP). The program has trained more than 100 women engineers by providing mentorship, financial support, and work experience. The Startocode platform has a particular focus on empowering female learners within a broader curriculum.
Beyond talent development, Telecel has played a leading role in strengthening Africa’s startup ecosystem. Telecel Group has supported more than 40 startups through its African Startup Initiative Programme, provided more than $750,000 in benefits and helped create approximately 4,000 jobs. Approximately 70% of these startups are women-led businesses, reflecting the company’s commitment to inclusive economic development.
The One Million Programmers Program represents the cornerstone of the Mahama administration’s digital transformation agenda. Government officials stress that the initiative goes beyond coding instruction to encompass unlocking potential, fostering innovation, and creating pathways to sustainable livelihoods for youth across the country.
The program aims to equip one million Ghanaians with essential digital skills to meet the demands of the 21st century economy. The initiative aims to expand access while maintaining high standards of quality and efficiency by enabling education and training at scale to reach thousands of students, including those in underserved and rural areas.
Telecel’s contribution through Startocode supports this visionary initiative by making world-class digital education affordable to all Ghanaians, especially in underserved communities. This integration is a concrete demonstration of how public-private partnerships can advance national development priorities.
This agreement marks an important milestone in Ghana’s efforts to build a skilled and future-ready workforce. This demonstrates a shared commitment by governments and the private sector to ensure that young people are not left behind in the digital economy as technological transformation accelerates across industries.
Tech industry observers say the digital skills gap is the biggest barrier to employment for young people across Africa. Ghana’s youth unemployment rate has consistently exceeded 12% in recent years, leaving many graduates lacking the practical skills sought by employers in technology-driven fields.
This partnership addresses this challenge by providing a structured pathway from basic digital literacy to advanced programming and entrepreneurship skills. Graduates will hold qualifications recognized by employers across technology, finance, telecommunications and other sectors that increasingly rely on digital capabilities.
International examples demonstrate the transformative impact of large-scale coding efforts. India’s national program on technology-enhanced learning has trained millions of students and contributed to India’s emergence as a global technology hub. Similar programs are accelerating digital transformation and economic competitiveness in Rwanda, Estonia and Singapore.
For Ghana, the success of the Million Programmers Program will depend on continued efforts beyond the initial training phase. Graduates need ongoing support through job placement services, startup incubation opportunities, funding for technology ventures, and more. Additionally, programs must continually adapt to respond to rapidly evolving technology environments and employer requirements.
Telecel Group looks forward to deepening its partnership with the Government of Ghana and key stakeholders to foster long-term sustainable development. The company stressed that ensuring Ghana’s digital revolution is inclusive and sustainable requires collaborative efforts across public institutions, private companies, educational institutions and civil society organizations.
This MoU underscores the parties’ shared determination to ensure broad participation in Ghana’s digital economy. As artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud computing and other emerging technologies reshape work and commerce, it becomes increasingly urgent to equip young Ghanaians with relevant skills for the nation’s competitiveness and prosperity.
