Working with Ghanaians

People from around the world come to work in Ghana, from volunteers to entrepreneurs. Yet so many arrive with a limited understanding of its cultures, which leads to needless stress, lost productivity, missed opportunities and negative experiences. How do you get beyond pleasantries with Ghanaians? How do you understand what they are (and are not) saying? How can you more effectively conduct business with them?

This book will help you understand Ghanaian working culture, how to make connections with your own and how to build strategies for working effectively and ultimately succeed.

The book is informed by research and interviews with Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians from all walks of life, intercultural experts and everyday observations. It can apply to people working in Ghana or globally with Ghanaians.

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As a born and bred native Ghanaian, I can confidently endorse Michael, as the go-to person for any new visitor to my country, Ghana. For a person who first landed in Ghana as an exchange student, on a budget and then came back as a family man and a development expert, Michael is definitely not short of words for any subject matter on Ghana. This tells much of the in-depth knowledge of his rich Ghanaian experience.

Ndaase koraa Michael!

-Esenam Nyador, Miss Taxi Ghana

It is often said that Ghanaians are very warm and friendly people. There is no feeling more welcoming than to be the recipient of an enthusiastic “akwaaba” accompanied by a broad smile. But there is so much more to a cultural profile of a people than what might be expressed in a tourist pamphlet.
Michael Creighton’s book takes the reader through an insightful and sensitive journey that explores the cultural context for effective negotiation, work relationships, business dealings and for managing service providers. He is uniquely qualified to lead us on this journey. Not only did he spend years in Ghana, he has viewed life in the country both from the backseat of a “trotro” as well as from the backseat of an air-conditioned V8 SUV. Both perspectives are real; but also serve as appropriate metaphors for viewing the culture across the full spectrum of society.

If you are planning a long stay in Ghana to study or work I strongly recommend this book. It is an enjoyable read but more important it also caters to the needs of people planning to work in Ghana including diplomats and senior executives who require a deeper and more nuanced appreciation of the cultural backdrop to their daily work experience. This important book is a must-read.

-Ronald E. Quist, CEO, Idilmat Ltd.

Running an office anywhere is challenging. As Ghana becomes an ever more important base for international business, diplomacy and civil society, Michael Creighton's book arrives full of stories and tips for expatriates who want to make their work life more productive as well as more enjoyable. Worth reading before you go and again after you've been at work there for a while.

-Darren Schemmer, former Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana (retired)