The Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, is facing growing criticism over alleged multi-million cedi expenditures linked to consultancy services, procurement contracts and the implementation of the government’s One Million Coders Programme.
According to claims circulating in political and public discourse, the ministry reportedly spent more than GHC2 million on consultancy services related to the SIM re-registration exercise.
Additional allegations suggest that another GHC5.2 million was paid to a transaction advisor through a sole-sourcing arrangement, raising concerns among critics over procurement processes and value for money.
The controversy has further intensified following claims that approximately GHC10 million was spent on vehicles for supervisors under the One Million Coders Programme.
Ghanaians have also questioned reports indicating that nearly GHC50 million was allocated for supervision activities connected to the initiative, alongside GHC1.3 million reportedly spent on office equipment and another GHC1 million on air tickets for trainers involved in the programme.
The expenditure claims have sparked debate on social media and within political circles, with some observers demanding greater transparency and accountability regarding the procurement processes and budgetary allocations tied to the ministry’s digital transformation agenda.
Some argue that the scale of the reported expenditures appears excessive, particularly at a time when the government continues to advocate fiscal discipline and prudent public spending amid ongoing economic recovery efforts.
Others have questioned whether the amounts allegedly spent on supervision, consultancy and logistics could have been reduced to free up resources for direct programme implementation and youth training support.
The One Million Coders Programme is one of the government’s flagship digital skills initiatives aimed at equipping young Ghanaians with coding, software development and digital technology competencies to improve employment opportunities and position Ghana competitively within the global digital economy.
Meanwhile, pressure continues to mount on the ministry to publicly clarify the expenditures, procurement arrangements and operational details surrounding the programme and related contracts.