The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has taken a swipe at President John Dramani Mahama’s One Million Coders Programme, dismissing it as empty rhetoric lacking tangible support for Ghana’s youth.
Speaking during a press conference on Thursday, May 8, the Minority Leader questioned the practical impact of the President’s digital transformation agenda, which forms part of the administration’s 120-day performance review.
Afenyo-Markin argued that speeches and ceremonial launches alone cannot bring about the digital revolution the country urgently needs.
He insisted that young Ghanaians require concrete tools, resources, and support, not “talking points”, to thrive in the evolving global tech landscape.
“We, the mighty minority, boldly remind the president that digital transformation cannot be downloaded onto our national digital network by beautiful speeches and launching ceremonies. And Ghana’s youth deserves tools, not talking points. I repeat, the youth of Ghana need tools, not talking points,” he stated emphatically.
His remarks follow the official launch of the One Million Coders Programme, a flagship initiative by the Mahama-led administration, aimed at training one million Ghanaians in coding and digital skills.
While the government touts the programme as a bold step toward economic and technological advancement, the Minority contends that its implementation lacks substance and fails to meet the real, immediate needs of young people across the country.