Konnected Minds Podcast

Host: Derrick Abaitey
Episode Segment: Ghana Isn't Paying Western Salaries - Unless You're Recruited, Expect 90% Less
Date: January 24, 2026

Overview

This episode of Konnected Minds Podcast addresses the realities and misconceptions for Africans in the diaspora, particularly those considering a move to Ghana, about jobs, salaries, and expectations. The discussion centers on the emotional pull of returning "home" versus the logical, financial, and practical challenges that await, especially regarding employment and income parity with Western nations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Emotional Connection to Africa & Ghana (00:00–06:24)

• Diaspora Distinction:
  The speaker introduces the distinction between the "historic diaspora"—descendants of people taken during the transatlantic slave trade—and "the African diaspora," defined by direct familial links to the continent.
• Emotional Motivations:
  People from the historic diaspora often have a deeply emotional pull towards Africa, seeking a sense of belonging, spiritual connection, and relief from systematic racism present in Western societies.
• Spiritual Experiences:
  • Describes intense spiritual reactions visitors have at sites like the "Door of No Return" at Cape Coast and Elmina Castles, and the Asen Manso Slave River.
  • Shared a story from a Ghanaian videographer who felt a ghostly presence in the river:

    "He said he didn't get it at first, but that particular day he said he felt like there was somebody grabbing his leg in the water." – A (03:23)

• Emotional Blind Spots:
  The speaker analogizes moving for emotional reasons to entering a relationship:

  "Just like when you're in a relationship... you ignore some of the bad things... because they're making you feel good." – A (05:09)

2. The Logical Reality: Employment and Salaries (06:24–09:08)

• Advice to Diasporans:
  The host cautions listeners not to be driven by emotion alone, but to research and plan for the pragmatic side of living in Ghana, especially regarding income.
• Misconceptions About Income:
  Many mistakenly expect Western-level salaries in Ghana. This is rare unless you’re recruited internationally for a high-level role.

  "Most of the jobs, like 90% of the jobs, you are not going to be paid the same as you were being paid in America and Canada, the UK." – A (05:48)

• Recruitment Privilege:
  Only those recruited from abroad into high-ranking positions (e.g., country managers at major corporations) can negotiate Western salaries and perks (housing, car, etc.).

  "If you are sitting there in New York and a company in Ghana has reached out to you... you have negotiating power... and I know people who that’s happened with." – A (06:10)

• On-the-Ground Reality:
  For most, jobs pay between 2,000 and 6,000 cedis per month—a fraction of Western earnings. The speaker emphasizes the difficulty of "just landing and looking" for jobs.

  "Good luck. You’re going to come and get a job that's like paying you between 2,000 to, I don't know, 6,000 cedis a month." – A (06:20)

3. The Power of Networking & Personal Experience (06:24–09:08)

• Networking Over Formal Applications:
  Job opportunities in Ghana are often about who you know rather than formal applications.

  "Both jobs that I got showed the power of networking, which is why I always stress... not being afraid to go places and meet people." – A (06:32)

• First-hand Job Story:
  The speaker shares a personal story about being offered a school job after discussing her writing experience at a party.
  • Used her skills to lead a creative writing club, teaching students the wide scope of writing careers.

    "That Calipo juice box you're drinking? Someone is a technical writer... watching the news, someone is a scriptwriter..." – A (08:00)

  • She gave students exposure to media and book events, expanding their outlook.
• Salaries and Expectations:
  While rewarding, the pay was modest. The speaker notes she wasn’t actively job hunting at the time, taking the role for the experience rather than the compensation.

4. Consequences of Poor Planning (09:08–09:17)

• Common Pitfall:
  Many arrive without plans, run out of resources, and then must either accept low-paying jobs or return home.

  "That's possible, yes. I also think people don't really know what the country has to offer when it comes to work and careers... they haven't taken the time to research..." – A (09:17)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Spiritual Connection:

  "Some people kiss the ground... People have gone when they go to the site where the Door of no Return... and they talk about feeling the spirits of the ancestors in there." – A (02:21)

• On Emotional Decisions:

  "Sometimes we don't look at the logic. If you're coming to Ghana, I always say, yeah, there's going to be some emotion in it. But don't let the emotion only be the reason you come." – A (05:38)

• On Salary Realities:

  "If you just come to Ghana, land your bags and now you're sending CVs places. Good luck." – A (06:20)

• On the Power of Networking:

  "It showed the power of networking, which is why I always stress to people the importance of not being afraid to go places and meet people." – A (06:34)

• On Unprepared Arrivals:

  "They come in, they're not looking for jobs, and then they spend all their money, and then now they either have to look for a job or go back." – B (09:08)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00–06:24 — Emotional bonds of the diaspora with Ghana, spiritual experiences, and motivations for moving
• 06:24–09:08 — Realities of finding work in Ghana, networking stories, and salary comparisons
• 09:08–09:17 — The pitfalls of arriving unprepared and running out of money

This episode provides a grounded, heartfelt look at what it really means for Africans in the diaspora to move to Ghana—with strong warnings to balance emotion with logic, do careful research, and never expect Western salaries unless you’re coming as a highly recruited expat. Networking is vital, and understanding local realities is essential to avoiding disappointment.