The Hidden Costs of White-Collar Jobs
By Kwame
Accra, Ghana — On the surface, Kwaku Badu’s life looks ideal. He wears polished shoes, clocks in at 8:00 a.m. at a bank in Ridge, and eats lunch from a tidy pack at his mahogany desk. He’s what many Ghanaians call a big man in the city.
But the 33-year-old junior account officer says there’s a reality few see.
“I make ₵3,200 a month,” he says. “By the time I pay rent, contribute to family bills, commute, and dress the part, I’m broke before mid-month.”
Beneath the air-conditioned offices and crisp button-down shirts, Ghana’s white-collar workforce faces a quiet financial and emotional squeeze. While such jobs offer prestige, they often come with hidden costs: long commutes, mental burnout, rigid appearances, and salaries that barely stretch.
The Illusion of Success
In a culture that equates formal employment with success, many workers feel compelled to maintain a lifestyle that mirrors their professional image.
“You have to look like your job,” says Priscilla Ankomah, a legal secretary in Kumasi. “You can’t wear the same shoes two days in a row. People will talk.”
Priscilla spends about ₵500 monthly on hair, clothes, and makeup — nearly 20% of her ₵2,800 salary.
“You can’t come to a law firm looking ‘ordinary,’” she adds. “Clients judge. Your boss notices.”
The Cost of Appearances
White-collar jobs, particularly in sectors like banking, law, and telecom, come with unspoken expectations: neat clothing, phones with airtime, lunch out, and constant online presence.
Let’s break down the average monthly costs for a mid-level office worker in Accra:
- Rent (shared apartment): ₵1,200
- Transport (Uber + trotros): ₵400
- Food (lunches, coffee, snacks): ₵600
- Clothing/appearance: ₵300
- Internet and phone credit: ₵150
- Support to family/home village: ₵300
- Savings (rare): ₵50 or less
Despite gross salaries between ₵2,500 and ₵4,000, many employees live paycheck to paycheck — or worse, in overdraft.
Mental Health and Burnout
The emotional toll of white-collar work is growing, particularly in the wake of longer hours, unrealistic targets, and workplace micromanagement.
“I’m tired all the time,” says Raymond, a sales executive at a mobile network provider. “You’re expected to exceed targets every month, no excuses.”
Mental health experts say stress-induced insomnia, anxiety, and even depression are on the rise among Ghana’s urban professionals.
“Many of these employees suffer in silence,” says Dr. Akosua Quartey, a clinical psychologist. “The pressure to ‘hold it together’ is immense.”
No Room for Error
Unlike in the informal sector, many white-collar roles offer little room for personal emergencies. One missed KPI or tardy arrival could end a contract.
“Even if you’re sick, they expect you to check your emails,” says Juliet, a front desk officer at a real estate company. “There’s no compassion. Just performance.”
Career Growth Isn’t Guaranteed
Many young workers enter white-collar roles expecting upward mobility — but soon hit plateaus.
“I’ve been at the same level for four years,” Raymond says. “No promotions. No salary adjustment. But the workload doubles every year.”
For some, career stagnation drives them toward side hustles — graphic design, baking, affiliate marketing — anything to top up their salaries.
The Office Politics Trap
Beyond the financial burden lies the labyrinth of workplace politics: favoritism, cliques, and endless meetings.
“You can do everything right and still get overlooked,” says Priscilla. “Sometimes it’s not about hard work, it’s about who you laugh with at lunch.”
This dynamic leaves many workers emotionally drained and professionally disillusioned.
Expectations at Home
Despite their own struggles, white-collar workers often serve as family breadwinners — expected to pay siblings’ fees, cover funerals, or sponsor relatives.
“No one believes I’m broke,” Kwaku laments. “Because I wear a tie.”
This mismatch between perceived wealth and real income fosters guilt, secrecy, and occasional resentment.
What’s the Alternative?
Some workers are choosing to exit altogether — pursuing freelancing, relocating abroad, or starting businesses.
“I quit my office job to start a catering business,” says Efua Nartey, 31. “Now I work more hours, but I’m mentally free and earn better.”
Still, not everyone has that option — or the safety net to take the risk.
Rethinking Office Culture
Experts recommend reforms to make white-collar life healthier and more humane:
- Flexible work hours or remote options
- Mental health support in HR policies
- Transparent promotion structures
- Realistic performance targets
- Living wages that match urban cost of living
Dr. Quartey believes it’s also time for cultural change: “We must stop equating stress with productivity. Your health shouldn’t pay for your job.”
Final Thoughts
For many Ghanaians, white-collar jobs represent the promise of middle-class life — dignity, routine, status. But the realities behind office walls often tell a more sobering story.
“You smile at the reception desk,” says Priscilla. “But your mind is calculating how to afford dinner.”
In Ghana today, wearing a suit doesn’t always mean you’re thriving. Sometimes, it means you’re barely holding it together — behind a polished mask.