‘Dirty Jobs’ Might Be The Path To Prosperity

In our society, we have long associated success with certain prestigious professions, like law, banking, politics, academia, or public service jobs that promise a stable monthly salary and the air of respectability. This mindset, inherited from our colonial past and reinforced by decades of social conditioning, still shapes the dreams of many Ghanaian youth today.

But when we look closely at what truly creates prosperity, the picture becomes more complex. Many so-called “odd jobs” or “dirty jobs” we often dismiss turn out to be surprisingly lucrative, even more stable, and deeply rewarding compared to some of the white-collar careers we revere.

When Prestige Doesn’t Pay

It’s not uncommon to see university graduates employed in respectable offices, yet quietly struggling to cover rent, food, and transport each month. Promotions can be slow, and job security fragile. Meanwhile, artisans and traders --- mechanics, welders, tilers, plumbers, scrap dealers --- may lack fancy titles, but many quietly build houses, run thriving shops, and pay school fees without borrowing. The truth is simple. The work that keeps society running, and which is always in demand, often pays better than jobs valued mainly for status.

Salary of a Waakye Seller

Teachings of Psychology and Philosophy

Psychologists argue that success isn’t just about salary, title, or how others see us. According to Dr. Martin Seligman, founder of Positive Psychology, true well-being comes from PERMA (Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment). In other words, real success is a life where we feel engaged and interested in our work, build meaningful relationships, create value for others, and experience growth and fulfilment.

Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs also shows that self-actualization, realizing our potential matters far more than external validation. Yet many still see certain trades as degrading. Psychologists call this status anxiety (a concept explored by Alain de Botton), the fear of losing face in society’s eyes. We tie our worth to appearances rather than the actual value we create. Dr. Carol Dweck’s research on fixed against growth mindsets shows that people who cling to prestige often see success as static, something defined by labels, not by learning, skill, or adaptability.

What Great Thinkers Say

History and philosophy challenge this shallow view of work:

• “All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” … Martin Luther King Jr.
• “The dignity of labor depends not on what you do, but how you do it.” … Edwin Osgood Grover
• “Success is not to be pursued; it is to be attracted by the person you become.” … Jim Rohn
• “Too many people spend money they haven't earned, to buy things they don't want, to impress people they don't like.” … Will Rogers

These words remind us that it is not the title or suit that brings dignity and prosperity, but the value we create and the excellence with which we do our work.

Changing Our Psyche

To truly transform as a nation, we must:

• Highlight real success stories of artisans and traders thriving locally and abroad;
• Modernize technical and vocational education, linking skills training to entrepreneurship;
• Challenge parents and teachers to guide youth based on passion, skill, and market demand, not just old notions of “prestigious” careers;
• Encourage the youth to see “odd jobs” not as a fallback, but as paths to independence and innovation.

Countries like Germany and Singapore invested in technical and vocational skills, and reaped rapid industrial and economic growth. Ghana, too, can build a future where a skilled welder or tiler is as respected as a banker.

Value over Vanity

Prestige without prosperity is vanity. As a society, we owe it to our youth to redefine success. From status and appearances to skill, creativity, and the impact we make. Real success is not measured by what we wear to work, but by the value we add, whether with clean hands or grease-stained overalls. If we change our psyche, we might just discover that what we call “dirty jobs” are, in fact, the gold mines we’ve been ignoring all along.

Salary of a Porridge Seller

"There’s a porridge seller in Tamale whom I quietly observed over some days. During her first round of sales alone, she served about 230 customers. On average, each person spent roughly GH¢ 5 on porridge and sugar, amounting to GH¢ 1,150. Since she sells three pots each morning, that translates to GH¢ 1,150 × 3 = GH¢ 3,450 in total sales.

Although I couldn’t tell her exact expenses, I casually asked if her profit was about half of what she invested. She explained that whatever she invested, she could make twice that as profit. From this, I estimated that out of her GH¢ 3,450 sales (between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m.), her profit could be around GH¢ 2,200 or a bit more. If this figure is accurate, then over 25 working days, the monthly net profit for she and her two daughters would be about GH¢ 55,000.

Remarkably, this humble porridge seller likely earns much more than many of her customers who arrive in flashy cars and expensive clothes.

Sad Story of Gurunpaga

After graduating from a university in Ghana, Gurunpaga has been searching tirelessly for a job. Meanwhile, her former SHS classmate, Tasrah, is already an established seamstress and even married. In contrast, Gurunpaga spends her days moving from one office to another, sometimes traveling all the way to Accra in pursuit of employment.

Sadly, many of the people who promise to help demand bribes, while others shamelessly ask her for sexual favors. Unable and unwilling to meet such demands, Gurunpaga has remained jobless for nearly five years. Since losing both parents after university, she now survives with help from her younger brother, who works as a furniture maker.

Gurunpaga’s story is far from unique. Countless others face the same discouraging reality. Each day feels more hopeless than the last. Yet, rather than actively finding alternative paths, many simply fold their arms and wait for a miracle to fall from the sky".

Can something be done about it, or we should let go?

Sorry for any inconveniences, and thanks for your understanding.

Fuseini Abdulai Braimah