Shoemaker Warns Against Youth’s Preference for Fraud Over Skill Acquisition

A shoemaker based in Tema Community One has expressed concern over a growing trend among Ghanaian youth, who, he says, are increasingly opting for internet fraud and betting instead of learning valuable skills.

Eric Mensah, who has a physical disability, shared his thoughts in an interview with the Ghana News Agency. He noted that it is troubling to see young people shy away from apprenticeships and skill acquisition programs. “Most of the youth don’t like work,” he said. “They prefer engaging in internet fraud over committing to an apprenticeship and learning a trade properly.”

Mr. Mensah pointed out that even those who do enroll in training programs often drop out prematurely. Many leave as soon as they acquire some basic skills, assuming they have learned enough to start taking orders. “When you’re training them, the moment they pick up a little, they run away thinking they know the trade,” he explained, “but they still have a lot to learn.”

This tendency to cut training short, he argued, results in substandard products, which can tarnish the reputation of Ghanaian-made goods. He urged young people to take their training seriously, emphasizing that learning a skill provides a more sustainable path to a secure future than engaging in internet fraud or other risky activities.

Mr. Mensah also encouraged persons with disabilities (PWDs) to acquire a trade, rather than resort to begging on the streets. He noted that pursuing a trade provides not only a livelihood but also access to support funds, like the Disability Common Fund, which can offer financial assistance. “There is dignity in working rather than begging for alms,” he emphasized, adding that meaningful work is a key to self-respect and stability.