UHAS receives 200 laptops under One Million Coders Programme

The University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) has received 200 laptops from the Government of Ghana under the One Million Coders Programme to strengthen digital skills development among students.

The laptops were presented by the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, at a ceremony held at the University’s Council Chamber on Friday, October 16, 2026.

The One Million Coders Programme is a government initiative aimed at equipping students and other beneficiaries with digital skills to improve employability and prepare them for the changing demands of the job market.

Vice-Chancellor of UHAS, Professor Lydia Aziato, who received the laptops on behalf of the University, said the initiative would help improve students’ digital competencies, particularly as technology becomes increasingly important in healthcare delivery.

She noted that digital tools such as electronic health records, patient monitoring systems and wearable devices were transforming healthcare services, requiring future health professionals to develop relevant technological skills.

Professor Aziato disclosed that the University planned to integrate courses in artificial intelligence, data science and analytics, programming, data literacy and other emerging technologies into its academic programmes.

She, however, said the 200 laptops would serve a student population of about 11,000, making additional support necessary to meet the institution’s digital learning needs.

The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted challenges facing the University, including inadequate internet connectivity, the absence of a central library and computer laboratory, and insufficient digital infrastructure.

She appealed for support to establish a central or electronic library and repurpose an existing data centre to improve the University’s data management capacity.

The Director of ICT at UHAS, Patrick de Souza, also raised concerns about the institution’s limited internet bandwidth and inadequate data centre capacity, which he said constrained its efforts to expand digital education and services.

In response, Mr George reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting the University’s digital transformation and skills development agenda.

He said the One Million Coders Programme would provide students with industry-relevant skills in areas such as data analytics, artificial intelligence, data management and prompt engineering.

The Minister encouraged the University to integrate the programme into its academic structure and assured management that the 200 laptops were only an initial phase of support.

He explained that further assistance would be considered based on student enrolment and the effective utilisation of the devices.

Mr George also pledged to work with the National Communications Authority, the National Information Technology Agency and mobile network operators to improve internet connectivity and digital infrastructure across the University’s campuses.

He further disclosed that discussions were ongoing on high-performance computing partnerships that could expand research opportunities for UHAS and other tertiary institutions.

The initiative is expected to strengthen collaboration between government and the University in promoting digital education and preparing future health professionals for an increasingly technology-driven healthcare sector.

Also present at the ceremony were the Member of Parliament for Ho Central, Richmond Edem Kofi Kpotosu; Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Frank Edwin; as well as deans, directors, staff and students of the University.

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