Meet the 61-year-old construction worker benefiting from Ghana’s One Million Coders Programme
At 61 years old, Ali Issaka, a construction worker from the Ashanti Region, is proving that learning new skills has no age limit after becoming a beneficiary of Ghana’s One Million Coders Programme.
Issaka’s participation in the programme has drawn attention because of his age and his background in construction, a field that is traditionally viewed as being far removed from technology and computer programming.
The One Million Coders Programme is part of efforts to equip Ghanaians with relevant digital skills and prepare more people to participate in the country’s growing digital economy. The initiative seeks to provide beneficiaries with opportunities to acquire coding and other technology-related skills.
For Issaka, being selected as a beneficiary represents an opportunity to expand his knowledge and gain skills outside his usual line of work.
His story also demonstrates the importance of making digital education accessible to people across different age groups and professional backgrounds.
At 61, Issaka is among those taking advantage of the opportunity to learn in an area that is increasingly becoming important to education, employment and entrepreneurship.
The construction worker’s decision to participate in the programme challenges the perception that coding and other digital skills are only meant for young people or those who have pursued technology-related careers.
Technology has become an increasingly important part of everyday life, with digital skills playing a role in businesses, education, communication and employment. As Ghana continues to promote digital transformation, programmes designed to expose citizens to coding and technology could help bridge the country’s digital skills gap.
Issaka’s involvement therefore provides an example of how such initiatives can attract people from diverse backgrounds.
His journey from working in construction to learning coding also highlights the possibility of continuous learning later in life. Rather than considering his age a barrier, he has embraced the opportunity to acquire knowledge in a rapidly changing technological environment.
The development comes at a time when coding and digital literacy are receiving increased attention in Ghana, particularly because of the growing demand for technology-related skills.
For young people, digital training can provide a pathway towards careers in software development, technology and other emerging fields. For older participants such as Issaka, it can provide an opportunity to understand new technologies and acquire additional skills that may complement their existing experience.
His participation in the One Million Coders Programme could consequently inspire other adults who may have previously believed that they were too old to learn technology-related skills.
The story also reinforces the broader message that education and skills development should not necessarily stop at a particular age. As technology continues to evolve, people from different generations may need opportunities to learn and adapt.
Issaka’s experience serves as a reminder that determination and willingness to learn can open doors to new areas of knowledge, regardless of a person’s age or occupation.
At 61, the construction worker has joined a growing number of Ghanaians seeking to improve their digital capabilities through the One Million Coders Programme, making his story one of lifelong learning and adaptation in the digital age.
Source: Thepressradio.com
