Side Hustle Nation: Why Young People Are Redefining Employment
Byline: By Aisha
Accra, Ghana — On a Friday night in Osu, the city pulses with energy. The restaurants are busy, the music loud, and weaving through the crowd is 26-year-old Derrick Teye, delivering shawarma orders on his motorbike. But by day, he’s not a delivery rider — he’s a graphic designer.
“I work at a media firm until 5 p.m.,” he explains. “Then I switch to my side hustle to boost my income. That’s how I’m paying for my Master’s.”
Derrick is one of many young Ghanaians embracing what has become a defining feature of modern youth life: the side hustle.
From digital services and food delivery to shoemaking and social media influencing, young people across the country are navigating an uncertain job market by juggling multiple income streams. In Ghana today, employment is no longer defined by a single salary — it’s about survival, creativity, and flexibility.
Why the Hustle?
Several factors are driving the side hustle phenomenon:
1. Unemployment and Underemployment
Ghana’s youth unemployment rate hovers around 12%, but underemployment — where people work in low-paying or part-time jobs despite higher qualifications — is significantly higher.
“You can’t sit and wait for government payroll anymore,” says business coach Nana Ama Boakye. “Young people know they have to hustle.”
2. Rising Cost of Living
With food, rent, and transport costs soaring, many find that one job is simply not enough.
3. The Digital Economy
Social media, mobile money, and access to online platforms have opened new doors. Young people are selling fashion, running blogs, editing videos, and offering online tutoring.
4. A Changing Mindset
“There’s no shame in working two jobs now,” Derrick says. “In fact, it’s smart.”
The Hustlers Speak
Linda Adu, 24, is a full-time bank teller and weekend baker in Kumasi. “I make more from cake orders than my salary,” she says. “But I keep the bank job for security.”
Kwaku Donkor, 29, teaches at a junior high school in the morning and fixes mobile phones in the evening. “I need both to survive. My teaching salary barely covers food and rent.”
Esther Mensah, 22, sells thrift clothes on Instagram. “I started during COVID-19,” she says. “Now I have 3,000 followers and clients across the country.”
These stories reflect not just economic necessity, but a growing entrepreneurial spirit.
Challenges of the Hustle Life
While side hustles offer independence, they also come with strain:
- Burnout from working 12+ hours a day
- No job security or benefits for many informal gigs
- Cash flow instability, especially for seasonal ventures
- Limited capital to scale successful side businesses
“You can’t rest,” says Kwaku. “Even weekends are workdays. But what’s the alternative?”
A Gendered Experience
For many young women, side hustling also means navigating safety and societal expectations.
“I do makeup and photography,” says Adwoa, 27. “But I avoid late bookings alone — too risky. And some people don’t take you seriously if you’re a woman with a hustle.”
Yet women are also dominating certain sectors — like beauty, fashion, catering, and digital marketing.
The Formal Sector Reacts
Employers are increasingly aware that their staff may have side gigs — and opinions vary.
Some are supportive. “If it doesn’t affect performance, I’m okay with it,” says one HR manager in a telecom firm.
Others see it as a distraction. “You can’t serve two masters,” says a private school proprietor in Tema. “I need full attention.”
Some companies now include moonlighting clauses in contracts, forbidding outside work without approval.
Government and Policy Gaps
Despite the hustle boom, there’s little policy support for side hustlers:
- No tax incentives or training programs for part-time entrepreneurs
- Limited access to startup grants or microloans
- No insurance or retirement options tailored to gig workers
“Side hustlers are invisible in policy,” says economist Dr. Mabel Asare. “They’re not formal SMEs, but they’re driving a huge portion of the economy.”
From Hustle to Empire
Some side hustles evolve into full-blown businesses.
“I started braiding hair in my hostel room,” says Peace Ntim, 25. “Now I have a salon with two apprentices.”
Many young people dream of one day quitting the 9-to-5 and going full-time with their hustle. But the transition takes courage, capital, and clarity.
Tools and Platforms Fueling the Trend
Several platforms are empowering side hustlers:
- WhatsApp and Instagram for marketing
- Mobile money services for quick payments
- Tonaton, Jiji, and OLX for product sales
- Online marketplaces like Etsy for artisans
- YouTube and TikTok for brand building
Even churches and universities are offering entrepreneurial training workshops and digital skills bootcamps.
Final Thought
In Ghana’s uncertain job climate, young people are no longer waiting for opportunity — they’re creating it. The side hustle has evolved from a backup plan to a way of life, redefining what it means to work, earn, and dream.
As Derrick revs up his motorbike for another late-night delivery, he smiles: “This isn’t the future I imagined — but it’s the one I’m building. One hustle at a time.”