Telecel invests US$5m in 1m coders programme

By Elizabeth PUNSU, Kumasi

Telecommunications giant Telecel Ghana has committed US$5million to support government’s flagship One Million Coders initiative, undertaking to train 100,000 beneficiaries under the programme as part of efforts to accelerate digital skills development and enhance employability.

The company’s Director of External Affairs Manager, Komla Buami, disclosed this during a press soirée in Kumasi. He described the initiative as one of Telecel’s major contributions to government’s digital transformation agenda.

He explained that Telecel has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with government and is already implementing its component of the programme, which is being coordinated by the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations.

According to Mr. Buami, out of the one million people targetted under the national initiative, Telecel is sponsoring 100,000 participants at a cost of US$50 per trainee; translating into a total investment of US$5million.

“Government has introduced the One Million Coders initiative and Telecel wants to support it. As we speak, the programme is already underway. We have signed an MoU and are executing it. Of the one million coders, Telecel is taking 100,000 participants and paying US$50 for each of them,” he said.

Mr. Buami noted the beneficiaries are currently being trained through Telecel’s digital learning platform ‘Start to Go’ and expressed optimism that participants will successfully complete the programme within the next four years.

He also pointed to the company’s Digital Academy initiative, through which Telecel partners the Ghana Education Service in delivering digital skills training to pupils at underserved and hard-to-reach communities.

Beyond digital skills development, he said, the company has partnered government on healthcare interventions through the Mahama Care programme and Ministry of Health.

As part of the partnership, Telecel has donated cervical cancer screening equipment to three major health facilities – Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Sefwi Wiawso Municipal Hospital and Tamale Teaching Hospital.

“So we are encouraging as many women as possible to reach these facilities and be screened free of charge. All the consumables used in screening will be provided by Telecel for the next four years,” he said.

Mr. Buami further highlighted Telecel’s environmental sustainability efforts, revealing that the company has installed 13 solar-powered sites and is hoping to expand across its operations as part of efforts to reduce reliance on generators and lower carbon emissions in host communities.

On gender inclusion, he said women occupy 50 percent of executive positions within the company while accounting for 31 percent of leadership roles across the business.

“We are proud of the progress we have made in promoting women into leadership positions, but we are not stopping there. We have an ambitious plan to increase the current percentage of women in leadership this year,” he said.

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