A reflection on the Ghanaian youth’s attitude toward work

Laziness is the one common deficiency in mankind that blocks the establishment of a perfect world in which everyone leads a happy life — William Feather

This quote by William Feather comes off as striking to me as it shows the potential impact laziness can make one hinder his or her personal growth and limited opportunities for success throughout your life.

This is the tale of a young boy, employed as a delivery guy, who embodied the very essence of laziness a trait that has led to his reputation as a master of excuses rather than a dedicated worker.

When this young man, let’s call him Kofi, was first employed, the expectation was that he would seize the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to the small business that had taken a chance on him.

The job was straightforward: pick up packs of water bags, deliver them to customers, and ensure that each delivery was handled with care and efficiency. In return, he would receive a fair wage, training, and the potential for future growth within the company.

However, it didn’t take long for the cracks in this seemingly promising arrangement to begin showing.

From the very beginning, Kofi demonstrated an uncanny ability to conjure excuses at a moment’s notice.

Kofi would arrive late, mumbling something about traffic when they vehicle he was traveling with was struck in the heavy traffic on the Motorway of Accra, a plausible excuse in Accra, where the roads can indeed be unpredictable. But as days turned into weeks, it became clear that this was not an isolated incident but a pattern.

Kofi soon became known for his creativity in avoiding work. One day, he would claim he didn’t have the money to come to work, despite having received his pay just the previous week. The next, he would lament that he was too sick to leave his bed.

His excuses were as varied as they were numerous: from claiming his clothes were too dirty to wear because he couldn’t wash them, to insisting he was too exhausted from doing nothing.

Kofi’s reluctance to work wasn’t limited to his tardiness or his inventive excuses. On the rare occasions when he did show up, his attitude was far from enthusiastic. He was often seen dragging his feet, murmuring under his breath, and complaining about the tasks he was assigned. Whether it was the heat of the day or the weight of the packages, Kofi always found something to gripe about.

His laziness was palpable. He would frequently disappear for days, leaving customers waiting. When confronted about his behaviour, Kofi would simply shrug and offer another excuse, as if the very act of working was an unreasonable demand on his time.

Despite his lack of effort, Kofi held an unshakable belief that he was entitled to his monthly pay. He seemed to operate under the assumption that merely being employed, regardless of the quality or quantity of work he produced, was enough to earn him his wages. This sense of entitlement was baffling to his employers, who had hoped to instill in him a sense of responsibility and pride in his work.

But for Kofi, work was not a means to an end, but an inconvenience to be endured as briefly as possible. The concept of earning his pay through hard work and dedication seemed foreign to him, replaced instead by a desire to reap the benefits without sowing any effort.

Kofi’s behaviour didn’t just affect him; it had a ripple effect on the small business that employed him. Deliveries were delayed, customers were dissatisfied. The business began to suffer, and it became clear that Kofi’s presence was more of a liability than an asset.

Yet, despite his shortcomings, Kofi continued to expect his full pay at the end of each month. His employers, torn between their initial desire to give a young man a chance and the reality of his impact on the business, were left with a difficult decision.

The story of Kofi is not just a tale of laziness, but a broader commentary on the importance of responsibility and work ethic. In a world where opportunities are scarce and competition is fierce, the attitude one brings to their work can be the difference between success and failure. Kofi’s refusal to take his job seriously not only cost him his position but also served as a cautionary tale to others about the dangers of complacency and entitlement.

The youth want money, success and comfort, but are they are unwilling to engage in the work which required them to achieve success and have the money.

With such mentality from these young people leave a dire consequence for themselves and the society at large.

The digital age has undoubtedly played a role in shaping this mindset. These young men are frequently bombarded with videos and images of wealth and success especially TikTok, Instagram by influencers.

This influencer portrays an easily and lavish lifestyles, creating the impression that success can be achieved overnight. This downplays the importance of dedication and perseverance.

Many young Ghanaians are drawn to this deception, believing that they can achieve similar success without putting in the necessary effort. They chase after quick money schemes, betting, or engaging in other short-term ventures that promise fast returns but often lead to disappointment.

The idea of working in Ghana is an 8-to-5 job or building a career from the ground up seems unattractive when compared to the prospect of easy money.

The impact of this mindset is mind-boggling. When a significant portion of the youth population is unwilling to work but needs money is very devastating.

Ghana is one of the African countries with huge number youth population and if the youth are not willing to contribute, the nation’s progress is hindered.

On a personal level, the pursuit of quick money without effort often leads to frustration and letdown.

When the reality sets in that success requires smart work and dedication, many young people become disheartened.

They may feel as though they have been deceived by the very company that employed them.

This can lead to a cycle of laziness, where they become even less motivated to work, further worsening the problem.

The solution lies in changing the mindset and perceptions and try to put premium on the value of work. It starts with self-education and self-evaluation as knowledge is not only acquire in the classrooms.

The individual must instill a strong work ethic upon himself or herself as he or she has a crucial role to play in shaping their attitudes toward work.

Mentorship programmes can also be highly effective in guiding young people.

Successful individuals who have achieved their goals through hard work should share their stories, highlighting the challenges they faced in the beginning and the effort they put in.

This can help dispel the myth of overnight success and show young people that true achievement comes from perseverance and dedication.

The author is the editor of The Empowered Life