Amid the ever-changing dynamics in the world of work, young people who are seeking for jobs and are highly obsessed with government employment are being advised to pull the brakes.
A career coach, Dickson Assan, is urging young people in Ghana to rethink their career choices and place greater focus on private sector opportunities rather than traditional government jobs.
He argues that the future of work no longer rewards comfort; it rewards value.
Follow the Jobs, Not the Perception
According to Dickson Assan, who debunks the idea that the government sector provides job security, the private sector already employs about 80% of Ghanaians, making it the real engine of job creation in the country.
Yet, many young graduates continue to chase limited public sector roles, often driven by perceptions of stability rather than actual opportunity.
He stresses that you don’t necessarily have to know anyone to get opportunities in the private sector, challenging the belief that connections are the only pathway to success.
He rallied that, “Young man, prioritise the private sector. It employs 80% of Ghanaians. You don’t necessarily have to know anyone to get opportunities.”
A System That Rewards Performance
Unlike the public sector, where he suggests its merit system is questionable, Dickson Assan argues that the private sector thrives on merit.
He stresses that it rewards skill, performance, and results. For young professionals, this creates a more dynamic environment, one where effort, innovation, and competence can directly translate into growth and higher income.
“It rewards skill, performance, and results. It exposes you to competition, innovation, and growth. It pushes you to become better, faster,” he noted.
Growth Through Pressure and Competition
Dickson Assan further indicates the developmental advantage of private sector work. He describes it as a space that exposes individuals to competition, innovation, and constant pressure to improve.
These, he says, are factors he believes are essential for building relevant, high-value skills. As he puts it, the private pushes one to become better and faster.
In a rapidly changing global economy, such exposure can be the difference between staying relevant and becoming obsolete.
Beyond Borders: New Opportunities
One of the most compelling cases he makes for the private sector is access to global opportunities.
With the rise of remote work, digital platforms, and cross-border collaboration, young professionals are no longer limited by geography.
From freelance work to international clients, the career coach says the private sector opens doors that extend far beyond Ghana’s borders.
“More importantly, it opens doors beyond your location. Remote work. Global clients. Digital opportunities,” he emphasized.
Redefining Job Security
Dickson Assan insists that true job security today lies not in where you work, but in what you can do. He points to key pillars of modern career security:
Building in-demand skills
Continuous self-improvement
Solving real problems
Staying adaptable
Diversifying income sources
While acknowledging the role of the public sector, Dickson Assan says young people should not settle for average.
In his view, the private sector offers not just jobs but a pathway to growth, exposure, and long-term relevance in an increasingly competitive world.
