Google has opened 100,000 fully funded Career Certificate scholarships in Ghana with seven tracks, no prior experience required, and completion structured for under six months. Applications run exclusively through President John Dramani Mahama’s One Million Coders (OMC) Programme at onemillioncoders.gov.gh.
Every track starts from zero. No background in tech is assumed.
About the Programme
Google Career Certificates are online, self-paced credentials built by Google’s internal teams and recognised by employers across industries. Each one targets a specific entry-level role and is designed to get you employer-ready within six months.
President John Dramani Mahama’s One Million Coders Programme targets one million Ghanaians trained in digital skills by 2030. Google is contributing 100,000 scholarship slots toward that goal. The rollout is a joint effort with the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations (MoCDTI), integrating Google’s credentials into the national digital skills framework.
Applications flow exclusively through the OMC platform. The source describes this as the “first wave” of the programme; future cohorts may follow.
What You Actually Get
Each scholarship covers the full cost of one certificate track on the Grow with Google platform. In concrete terms:
- Full course access; the platform is otherwise a paid subscription
- A certificate upon completion
- Graded assessments and hands-on projects that build a portfolio
- Access to Google’s employer-facing network after completion
Stipend, mentorship, or job placement support beyond the certificate itself: not confirmed in this announcement.
See Also: Funded to Stay: DAAD Backs Master’s Degrees Across Sub-Saharan Africa for 2026/27
The Seven Tracks: What Each One Actually Covers
1. AI Essentials & Professional (~10 hours) Use generative AI tools in a workplace setting. Learn to summarise, draft, and automate daily tasks using AI as a collaborator.
2. Data Analytics (~6 months) Work with SQL, Tableau, and R to extract business insights from raw data. The target role is junior data analyst.
3. Cybersecurity (~6 months) Covers risk mitigation, Python basics, and Linux fundamentals. Prepares you for entry-level security analyst roles.
4. Digital Marketing & E-commerce (~6 months) Hands-on training with Google Ads, SEO strategy, and social media analytics. Directly applicable to running or consulting for businesses.
5. IT Support (~6 months) Operating systems, networking, and troubleshooting fundamentals. The most accessible track for career changers with no tech background.
6. Project Management (~6 months) Covers how to manage teams, hit deadlines, and keep projects within budget using Agile, Scrum, and Waterfall methods.
7. UX Design (~6 months) Teaches you to design products that real users can navigate from first sketch to tested prototype. Builds a portfolio of design work essential for junior UX roles.
Duration estimates are based on Grow with Google’s published timelines. Your pace may vary.
Full Eligibility
The announcement targets Ghanaian youth. Formal criteria beyond that are limited. Here is what is confirmed and what is not:
Confirmed:
- Ghana-based applicants
- No prior experience required for any track
- Applications through onemillioncoders.gov.gh
The announcement does not specify a document checklist. Visit onemillioncoders.gov.gh directly to see the current application form before preparing anything.
Is This Open to Nigerians?
No. This rollout is a Ghana-only initiative delivered through a Ghanaian government platform. Nigerian applicants cannot access these slots.
Nigerians seeking Google Career Certificates can access them directly through Coursera or through separate Google-funded scholarship initiatives.
How to Apply
- Go to onemillioncoders.gov.gh, the only official application portal
- Create an account or log in if you already have one.
- Select your preferred certificate track from the seven options.
- Complete the application form. Document requirements will appear here.
- Submit and await confirmation by email.
- Begin your course once access is granted.
Do not apply through Grow with Google or Coursera directly. Those routes will not give you the scholarship.
The programme is legitimate and well-resourced. IT Support, Data Analytics, and Digital Marketing certificates have the most direct employer demand in Ghana’s current market. If you are undecided on a track, start there.
The programme suits recent graduates, career changers, and early-career professionals who want a credible credential without committing to a full degree. For anyone already employed, the AI Essentials track is the fastest move ten hours, and you can signal AI literacy to your current employer immediately.
One tip: Complete your chosen certificate as fast as possible, then post on LinkedIn describing one concrete skill you gained. Employers in Google’s network pay attention to active profiles.
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