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By Gifty KYEREMATEN
Léo, a young French Afrophile and self-declared Afrofan, had long dreamt of coming to Ghana for an internship, an opportunity to blend work with his passion for African culture. He finally secured a placement in Accra and was fortunate to find accommodation in Osu with a welcoming Ghanaian host family.
Since his arrival, he has been given the traditional name Yaw, and is very thrilled about both his new family and his colleagues at work.
As fate would have it, Léo also connected with other interns from the African diaspora, and together they have been busy exploring Accra and travelling to landmarks across the country.
We recently met at a café to catch up. Léo was clearly enthusiastic about his experience so far and could not stop recounting, with visible excitement, all he had seen and done. However, one thing puzzled him: the young local interns around his age didn’t seem interested in socialising outside of work. Whenever he invited them out, they politely declined with explanations like: “Oh, I do house chores and relax at home on Saturdays, and I go to church on Sundays.” When he asked: “And then?” the answer was often, “Well, that’s my weekend!”
Perplexed, Léo wanted to know why this was the case. Was it that they didn’t like him personally? Was he crossing a line by inviting them out? Or was it simply not part of Ghanaian culture to hang out after work?
With a hint of frustration, he exclaimed: “There’s so much we could be learning from each other.” I explained that while networking is highly valuable, the concept of an after-work social culture is not yet embedded in many Ghanaian workplaces. He shook his head and sighed, “C’est vraiment dommage”. To wit, “It’s a real pity.”
Your network is your net worth
Networking, at its core, is about engaging with others to exchange information, build meaningful relationships and create new opportunities. As the popular saying goes: “Your network is your net worth.” In today’s fast-paced and increasingly globalised economy, who you know can be just as important as what you know. Networking has become the new business currency, and its value, both locally and internationally, cannot be overstated.
So, here is the real question: Are we making the most of our connections?
Networking as a game-changer
I often remind my trainees that in Ghana’s fast-growing economy, even if we don’t plan to travel abroad for work or study, the world is increasingly coming to our doorstep. That is why local and international networking is no longer optional; it is essential for Ghanaian professionals and entrepreneurs.
Not long ago, I provided etiquette coaching to a group of rice farm supervisors. Most of them were high school graduates who had never been outside Ghana. Yet, their daily work involved receiving delegations and visitors from various Asian countries. This is a perfect example of how global connections are now part of even the most local industries.
Networking is truly a game-changer. It can open doors to job opportunities, strategic partnerships, mentorship, new clients, professional advice and access to international markets. The number of high-value business deals that have emerged through social and professional networking is simply remarkable.
However, several common barriers often keep people from fully engaging in networking. These include fear of rejection, lack of self-confidence, limited financial access to networking spaces or events and sometimes just a sheer lack of interest or awareness of its importance. Have you ever been to a professional event where everyone is locked into their phones, barely making eye contact, let alone conversation? Thanks to social media, we have gotten good at connecting online, but what about in real life? My question is, why swipe when you can shake a hand?
Stay tuned for Part Two, where I will explore common networking mistakes and share practical and actionable tips on how to network like a pro.
À suivre!
>>>the writer is the Founder of Elite GK Consulting, specialising in etiquette and soft skills training. Gifty holds an MSc. in Education Entrepreneurship from the University of Pennsylvania, an MBA from the Open University and is a Certified Etiquette Coach from The British School of Excellence. Before founding Elite GK Consulting, Gifty gained extensive experience in international relations, diplomacy and cultural diversity, including a notable tenure at UNESCO in Paris. Her career has equipped her with nearly three decades of expertise in international development and diplomacy. Gifty is also actively involved in community work, having supported African youth and Ghanaian students in France, and she continues to contribute to her community in Ghana by organising workshops and events. Her commitment lies in empowering individuals and organisations to thrive globally while maintaining their cultural heritage, with a particular focus on nurturing young African professionals
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