Ghana’s economic growth depends largely on improving work culture, productivity, and innovation, according to development economics lecturer Professor Asaa Mohammed.
Professor Asaa said attitudes toward work and productivity play a major role in shaping the country’s development trajectory.
Speaking in an Independence Day interview in Bolgatanga, the academic said many young people prefer public sector employment because of perceptions that government jobs require less accountability.
“In the public sector, many people look for the salary rather than the work,” he said. “But in the private sector someone supervises you and demands results.”
He said this mindset discourages innovation and entrepreneurship, contributing to unemployment and slower economic growth.
According to him, many families still encourage young people to complete school and wait for government employment rather than develop independent businesses.
“You grow up hearing that after school you should go and write your name somewhere and wait for the government to employ you,” he said.
He said exposure to different environments and international experiences could help change these attitudes.
Prof. Asaa suggested that Ghana could benefit from programs that allow teachers and young professionals to travel abroad and observe systems that promote efficiency and accountability.
“If a teacher has never seen a clean city or efficient transport system, it becomes difficult to teach students what that should look like,” he said.
He said countries with strong development outcomes often emphasize discipline and respect for systems, including strict adherence to rules such as punctuality in public transportation and workplace accountability.
“Time is treated as a resource,” Mohammed said. “When systems work, everyone respects them.”
Despite the challenges, Mohammed said Ghana still has significant opportunities for economic transformation if citizens adopt stronger work ethics and embrace innovation.
“Our resources are there,” he said. “What we need is commitment, discipline, and the willingness to work for the country’s progress.”
