Having a job as expat comes with a lot of benefits and allows you to finance your stay in Ghana more comfortably. If you don’t have a good-paying job, the odds of bearing the cost of every-day life will increase greatly, while simultaneously lowering your quality of life.
If you’re looking to move to Ghana, you’ll need to make sure that your skills are up-to-date and your experience is relevant.
The best way to do this is through networking with other expats in the country as well as present yourself good on platforms like LinkedIn.
This article will walk through some steps for finding a job as an expat in Ghana. Even if your fields of expertise are rare and difficult to find, this post will show you how to find your desired job in Ghana!
Table of Contents
What is an expat?
When I first heard people using the term “expat” I was genuinely confused. Let me explain to you what this even means:
Expat is the short version of Expatriate, which by definition means: … an individual living and/or working in a country other than their country of citizenship.
(In my case this means being a German citizen and living/working in Ghana).
Advantages of living in Ghana as an expat
Living in Ghana as an expat comes with a lot of advantages and benefits. It ranges from new experiences and adventures you can indulge in, to job-related perks like allowances to healthcare, to obvious financial benefits.
You usually get paid in the currency that is being used in your country of residence (in my case in Euros). This is where the conversion rate comes in handy.
Many Expats more to countries where the cost of living is considerably lower. Meaning when you convert your pay into the local currency PLUS get to spend less money on your cost of living = living a sweet life!
I assume we all know that Ghana’s economic situation was not ideal (with an inflation rate peeking at 54.1% in December 2022). This economic crisis has multiple negative effects on multiple macroeconomic factors.
With the cedi’s conversion rate dropping drastically it also meant more Cedis for anyone changing foreign currency.
Simultaneously the cost of living in Accra exploded.
A bittersweet development.
How do you become an expat?
Now becoming an expat is faily simple: find a company or organization in your country of residence that offers jobs abroad.
If you are an American/German/Dutch/French/etc. citizen and move to Ghana and plan to live/work there – you have become an expat.
Now let’s get to the part of finding an expat job!
Before you start looking for a job:
1. Prepare your CV
Your CV should emphasize your talents and expertise to demonstrate that you are a valuable addition to any firm.
If you have previously worked in another country, ensure that all data are valid and up to date.
2. Prepare a good cover letter
A good cover letter is like a mini-introduction to yourself, as well as an introduction to the position being applied for and why it is worth applying for.
It also tells the employer why they should select you over anyone else locally or internationally who may have applied before you. It also presents a mental picture of who they are about to employ.
Employers would enjoy knowing exactly what sort of person they’re getting into their team rather than assuming based on prior experience alone, which might go down the wrong route if things don’t work out even after fulfilling expectations made by all parties involved during interviews.
You should take drafting your cover letter and CV seriously and triple-check it.
3. Polish your online presence
Improve your online presence. Your social media profiles are an excellent method to get the attention of potential employers, especially if you’re seeking work in Ghana or anywhere else.
Make sure your LinkedIn profile is complete and up to date, and that it accurately reflects your professional skillset — don’t just list your job title here; include other information about yourself relevant to the position (e.g., hobbies), as well as any experience or certifications that would be useful during interviews.
Maintain your online reputation by publishing on all of these platforms regularly or by keeping at least a distinct with a strong reputation for personal use and another for business-related usage only (if applicable).
Places to look for employment
1. International Organizations
The first thing you should look into is international organizations from your home country that are based in Ghana.
The first thing I did was compile a list of all German organizations/companies that are based in Accra and looked into their line of work.
Working for an international organization oftentimes allows you to get a more favorable contract and get paid in a superior currency.
In my case meaning: I signed a German contract under German law (meaning I still pay taxes in Germany) and I get to spend my salary in cedis.
This is the idea many digital nomads follow when moving abroad and working from a foreign country.
2. Check out online sites
Various websites might assist you in finding work in Ghana. The first is expat.com, a website that helps expats and locals locate work in Ghana. It also includes job search resources, such as pay statistics and interview recommendations for each industry.
Jobberman is another great resource for finding employment in Ghana: it’s operated by a team of seasoned professionals who have lived there since 2011 and understand what it takes to thrive as an expat or local business!
If neither of those services appears to be what you’re searching for, consider LinkedIn Professional Networking Site (or just “LinkedIn”). This website gives users access to their whole professional network, allowing them to connect with others.
3. Networking is key
You should network with your Ghanaian friends, family, and coworkers. They are the individuals you are most familiar with, and they can assist you in possibly finding a work place.
Make some contacts in Ghana if you don’t already have any! You may be astonished at how many individuals are willing to assist you.
Ask around and try to get in contact with as many people as possible. Network with other people who live in the area you want to move or work in.
This means reaching out to those who are already there and asking them if they know anyone else who might be hiring. Networking is an excellent technique for an expat to find jobs in Ghana.
It’s all about creating relationships, trust, and sharing information—and anybody who wants to find a job and create a community of friends that they can depend on for advice or help should definitely do it.
Ask friends and acquaintances for their help. If you are seeking a job in Ghana, you should solicit the assistance of your friends and relatives.
It’s also a good idea to question former employees of organizations who conduct business in Ghana or have operations there.
4. Join an expat community
Joining a network of expats from your home country or with similar backgrounds to you is one of the best ways to get work in Ghana. This will allow you to network and create relationships with others who have similar interests, making it easier for them to assist you in finding jobs when they are also seeking.
Some well-known expat groups are:
2. Ahaspora Professionals Network
3. InterNations
We hope you found the information above useful and encourage you to continue your search for jobs in Ghana.
Even after all of that, we can still only scratch the surface of what it takes to find and keep a job in this country, you can explore the page for more information on moving to
Ghana.
One important tip: Be aware!
Look out for dubious middlemen and scammers that will promise you highbrow jobs in prestigious places just to dupe you of your hard-earned money.
Always do background checks on the place you’re going to work and make sure you’re comfortable with their conditions before going ahead to work with them.
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