Everyone has a dream growing up, often aspiring to prestigious professions like banking, teaching, or law. However, some choose to pursue business over a full academic path.

One such person is Emmanuel, a pineapple seller at Dome Market in Accra.

In an interview on GhanaWeb TV’s Everyday People programme with Victoria Kyei Baffour, Emmanuel shared his reasons for choosing to sell pineapples rather than pursue a conventional career.

He explained that finding a job in Ghana can be challenging. Rather than finishing school, submitting applications, and facing possible rejections, he chose to sell pineapples.

Emmanuel mentioned that he started selling pineapples on weekends while still in school, returning to his studies on Mondays.

He stated: "Growing up, I wanted to go into business. I realized that pursuing careers like being a lawyer, doctor, police officer, or soldier would have been a waste of time for me. In Ghana, getting a good job often requires knowing someone influential to help you. Even then, there's a protocol to follow, and you might have to give up a lot just to get a chance. In the end, you might not even get the job, wasting both time and money.

"So, I decided it was better to focus on business. While in senior high school, I studied business and started selling pineapples on weekends. I would sell pineapples and then return to school on Monday.

"After completing school, I thought continuing with the pineapple business would be better than writing application letters. Often, employers might not pay well or delay payments, knowing that immediate payment might lead you to quit. Considering all these factors, I decided to commit to the pineapple business fully."

Comparing running his own business to having a salaried job, Emmanuel strongly preferred being his own boss.

He appreciates the freedom of not being pressured by anyone and working on his schedule.

He explained that working for someone else often comes with extra burdens. Even when you’re sick, you’re expected to show up, and ultimately, you might not be paid as expected.

"When I started this business, I felt so much better. There's no pressure on me. I come to work when I want and leave when I want. If you're working for someone and you get sick, you still have to go to work. Even after going to work while sick, you might not get your full salary at the end of the month, which can lead to debt. Your parents might not have money to help, and you might have to borrow food from a joint at your workplace, but because you weren't paid, you're always in debt.

"So for me, I didn't even consider working for someone else," he said.

Watch Emmanuel's full interview on GhanaWeb TV below:





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