Attitude Opens Doors of Opportunity

Attitude Opens Doors of Opportunity: Decoding the unemployment situation in Ghana and developing pragmatic solutions to curb this menace. 

“I will hire an attitude and train a skill", the words of Rev. Bernard Osei-Duah, CEO of BOD Mogul Consult and Jobs Afrique, a mentor of mine. 

In 2019, I conducted academic research on youth unemployment in Ghana. One key finding was that the causes of unemployment are multi-faceted.

Since then, I’ve made a conscious effort to contribute—however modestly—by applying lessons from people who have gone ahead of me.

I have created a platform where I share opportunities; from jobs in Ghana to jobs abroad to scholarships and fellowships, among others. In the last two years, I've shared thousands of opportunities, and have had more than 600 people join the platform called Study/ Travel Abroad and Jobs. Additionally, through my NGO, Young Champions Global Network, I have offered mentorship to hundreds of young people, particularly in the areas of career, finances, health, and other important aspects of life. 

During that research, I interviewed a recruitment team. The team lead said something that has stayed with me ever since:

“I will hire an attitude and train a skill.”

He lamented the poor attitudes he had encountered among many job applicants over the years.

Truthfully, many employers will choose cultural fit over technical skill, depending on the role. This is especially important where community interaction is high or where company culture is central to performance. In Ghana, this is often the case. In fact, a significant number of staff turnovers result from poor fit: people struggle to adapt to organisational culture and eventually part ways.

At the crossroads of high youth unemployment, many young people are navigating difficult career choices: choosing between a job that fits their skillset or one that simply pays enough to survive; between self-employment and, unfortunately, criminal alternatives. (If you’ve never been scammed before, allow me to burst your bubble—it’s a full-time “career” for some people. How else do they become so good at it?!)

Recently, Steve Bartlett, founder of The Diary of a CEO podcast, which I listen to regularly, made a bold and controversial statement:

“Hire people who are willing to learn quickly, have a great attitude, and work really hard. Don’t just settle for education and experience.”

He shared a story about recruiting a young lady primarily because of her attitude. She greeted the security officer by name, openly admitted when she didn’t know something, then quickly taught herself and followed up with an email shortly after the interview.

That, right there, is a powerful display of attitude—something employers value deeply.

This is also why recommendation plays such a major role in recruitment today. I’m not referring to the “referees” listed on CVs. I mean this: when a company owner calls trusted friends or business partners and asks, “Do you know someone?”—will your name come up, not just for competence, but for professionalism and attitude?

Recently, I attended an event hosted by one of Ghana’s finest HR practitioners—a mentor of mine and a man of God. Before the event began, a young lady arrived early and helped with setup, supporting him before, during, and after the programme. During the event, he openly expressed how impressed he was with her service and announced that he would employ her and place her on payroll.

What did she do?

She served.

A great attitude does not diminish your value—it exposes you to unexpected opportunities and invaluable experiences. Sadly, many young people overlook the value of service without immediate compensation. If the question “What’s in it for me?” isn’t answered upfront, they opt out. That, however, is a conversation for another day.

In conclusion, Ghana has a large non-working working population, with the youth forming the majority. This challenge has persisted for decades and, like in many countries, may remain for some time. Governments alone cannot solve unemployment. No single administration can create enough jobs to eliminate poverty.

Unemployment is complex and multi-layered. But step by step, with the right attitude toward learning and people, individuals can carve pathways out of the cycle of unemployment and the economic hardships that follow.