A nation of job seekers will always be poor – Sir Sam Jonah

Ghanaian billionaire Sir Sam Jonah is warning that Africa's fight against poverty and unemployment will continue as long as the continent relies on government jobs. Addressing young people and policymakers at the Methodist University Ghana International Conference 2026, he urged a shift away from viewing employment as the goal and towards creating businesses.

"A nation of job-seekers will always be poor," he declared. Jonah criticized the notion that a government position is the pinnacle of career achievement, arguing that young people must be encouraged to build and grow companies that generate jobs. He stressed the need for a culture of entrepreneurship to boost job creation and spur economic development.

Jonah noted that African governments should foster an environment where graduates can thrive in business rather than seeking employment abroad. He lamented the continent's investment in educating youth while failing to provide them with opportunities to apply their skills. "We educate brilliant young people, at great cost, and then offer them nothing to do," he said.

"Some sit at home. Some leave. Our best export is too often our best people." For sustainable growth, Jonah argued, Africa must retain talent by providing attractive opportunities on the continent. "A sustainable Africa is one that keeps its talent working at home, not because they have no choice, but because home offers the best opportunity."