Job Readiness

About this module

A job is rarely given to the person with the most talent. It is given to the person who shows their talent clearly, on time, and safely.

Who it is for. Beginners with no formal certificate, including school leavers, apprentices finishing a trade, women returning to work, and persons with disabilities. National Proficiency I is the first level of Ghana's TVET framework. You can follow this module in Fante, Twi or English; the written work is in English because most employers in Ghana write in English.

Why job readiness

Many young people in Ghana cannot find work. A University of Ghana study says nearly one in five young people is available for work but cannot find it, and unemployment among people aged 15 to 24 rose to 32.8%.
The national unemployment rate was 12.8% in 2025, and the Western Region was one of the regions above the national level.
Employers in a Ghana TVET study often said graduates had weak practical and soft skills, while the graduates thought they were better prepared than the employers did.
A short training in CVs, interviews, communication and job search, tested fairly in Accra, gave unemployed young people about 2.2 more job offers than a comparison group, and raised their confidence. Training does not create jobs, but it helps you win the ones that exist.

CTVET status. No CTVET job-readiness curriculum was found. This module is not a CTVET curriculum. It follows CTVET's format.

Never pay to get a job. Genuine employers do not charge fees for applications, tests or training. This rule appears in every unit of this book.

How the module works

Each unit has learning outcomes, performance criteria, the range and the evidence your assessor needs. You are judged Competent or Not Yet Competent. About 70% of the time is practical, following CTVET's Oil Palm programme split of about 30% school and 70% workplace.

Honesty rule. Numbers marked example were invented to teach a method. Where a Ghana fact could not be found, the book says not verified. Every sum in this book was checked by a computer script.

Unit 1 · You and the world of work

Before you can sell your skills, you must know what they are.

Competency standard

Learning outcome	Performance criteria — the trainee…
1.1 Know your skills	lists at least ten skills: trade skills, everyday skills and people skills
1.2 Know the kinds of work	explains wage jobs, apprenticeships, casual work and self-employment
1.3 Gather your papers	puts together a job folder with ID, certificates and a skills list

Range. The trainee's own life, schooling, trade and home work. Evidence. Skills list; job folder; oral questions.

Three kinds of skills

Kind	What it means	Examples
Trade or technical skills	Things you were trained to do	Sewing, welding, cooking, typing, driving, farming, phone repair
Everyday skills	Things you do at home or in the community	Caring for children or the sick, selling in the market, keeping money, cleaning
People skills (soft skills)	How you work with others	Coming on time, listening, being polite, working in a team, staying calm, being honest

Employers in Ghana often say young people lack communication, teamwork, confidence and professionalism. These are the soft skills. You can learn them like any trade.

Step by step: find your skills

Take a sheet of paper. Draw three columns: Trade, Everyday, People.
Think about one normal day from morning to night. Write every task you did.
For each task, ask: "What skill did I use?" Selling tomatoes uses counting, talking to customers and honesty.
Ask two people who know you well (a parent, a master craftsman, a pastor, a friend): "What am I good at?" Add their answers.
Circle your five best skills. These go on your CV in Unit 2.
Next to each, write one short proof: "I sold for my aunt for two years and never lost money."

Common mistakes and fixes.

Mistake	Fix
"I have no skills."	Everyone has skills. Look at your day again; ask other people.
Writing only big words: "hardworking, dynamic"	Give proof: what you did, how long, what happened.
Copying a friend's list	Your list must be true. You will be asked about it in an interview.

Kinds of work

A wage job (employee). You work for an employer and are paid a wage or salary. If the job lasts six months or more, the law says it must be secured by a written contract.
Casual work. Seasonal or on-and-off work for not more than six months at a time, paid by the day.
Apprenticeship. You learn a trade from a master craftsman or a company. The National Apprenticeship Programme had a GH¢170 million budget line in 2026.
Self-employment. You run your own small business: tailoring, hair, food, repairs, typing and printing. Unit 7 helps you plan this.

Many people do two at once, for example a part-time job and a small business at weekends.

Your job folder

Put these in a clean plastic folder (sold at stationery shops in Market Circle and most towns):

Ghana Card. The Ghana Card number is your tax identification number (TIN) since 2021, and SSNIT numbers are being replaced by the Ghana Card number.
Certificates and results slips: BECE, WASSCE, NVTI or CTVET, trade certificates, attendance letters from a master craftsman
Two copies of your CV (Unit 2)
A list of two or three people who agree to be your referees, with their phone numbers
Two passport photos
A pen and a small notebook for interview notes

Ghana Card copies. Never hand your Ghana Card, a copy of it or your PIN to a person you do not know or to an "employer" you cannot check. Scammers ask for ID documents and use them for identity theft. Government has given institutions until 2 November 2026 to stop photocopying Ghana Cards.

My skills and my folder

Fill in the three-column skills table with at least ten skills.
Ask two people what you are good at and add their answers.
Circle your five best skills and write one proof for each.
Build your job folder and show it to your trainer.

Ask a worker

Ask one person who has a job: "How did you get your job? What does your boss value most?" Write the answers in your logbook.

Check yourself

Name the three kinds of skills.
Give two examples of people skills.
Under the Labour Act, which jobs must have a written contract?

Unit 2 · Your CV on one page

Your CV is your advert. One clean page that is true, tidy and easy to read beats three messy pages.

Competency standard

Learning outcome	Performance criteria — the trainee…
2.1 Plan a CV	collects the right information for each section
2.2 Write a CV	writes a one-page CV with no spelling errors, true facts and achievements, not only duties
2.3 Check and keep a CV	proofreads with a partner, saves a PDF or a clean copy, and updates it

Range. One CV for a job the trainee could really apply for. Typed (computer or phone) or neatly handwritten for trainees who cannot type yet. Evidence. The finished CV; the checklist signed by a partner.

What a CV is

CV stands for curriculum vitae, Latin for "the course of your life". It is a short summary of who you are, what you can do and what you have done. Employers may receive hundreds of applications for one vacancy, so yours must be clear at first glance.

The sections, in order

A University of Ghana Business School guide gives this order:

Section	What to write
Header	Your full name in bold, a bit larger. Under it: a phone number you always answer, a sensible email address, and your town and region.
Profile	Three or four lines: who you are, your best skills and the kind of work you want. Change it for each job.
Education and training	Schools and training, newest first, with years and certificates.
Work experience	Jobs, apprenticeships, attachments, family business, volunteer work. Newest first.
Skills	Specific skills. "Can type 30 words a minute" is better than "computer skills".
Leadership and volunteering	Class prefect, church youth leader, community clean-up organiser.
References	Names and phone numbers, or "Available on request".

The guide advises one page, the same date format all through, the newest things first, strong action words, careful proofreading, and saving the final copy as a PDF.

Achievements, not just duties

A duty is what you were asked to do. An achievement shows what happened because you did it well. The UGBS guide uses the STAR idea: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Jobberman's chief executive also advised showing achievements with results, cutting extra words, and tailoring each CV to the job.

Duty only (weak)	Achievement (strong)
Sold provisions in my aunt's shop	Served about 40 customers a day in my aunt's shop for 2 years; kept daily sales records with no shortage
Did hairdressing	Plaited and styled hair for up to 6 clients a day; built a list of 25 regular customers
Helped at church	Organised the youth clean-up of 3 streets each month for a year

Use action words: served, sewed, repaired, organised, trained, counted, delivered, cleaned, cooked, sold, built, kept, led.

Step by step: write your CV

Tools and materials. A computer, a phone word-processing app, or ruled paper and a black pen; your skills list from Unit 1; your certificates (for correct names and years).

Header. Write your full name as on your Ghana Card. Under it, your phone number, email and town. Do not put your Ghana Card number, your date of birth or your religion; employers do not need them at this stage.
Email address. Make one that uses your name, for example ama.mensah@.... Not "sweetgirl" or "bossman".
Profile. Write three lines. Example: "Trained seamstress from Takoradi with two years' shop experience. Accurate cutter, careful finisher, honest with money. Looking for a machinist post in a garment workshop."
Education and training. Newest first. Name, place, years, certificate.
Work experience. Newest first. For each: job title, place, years, then two or three lines that start with an action word and show a result.
Skills. Your five best skills from Unit 1, written specifically.
References. Ask two people before you list them. A teacher, master craftsman or former boss is best. Do not list family members.
Layout. One font, size 11 or 12. Headings in bold. Left-aligned. Enough white space. One page.
Check. Read it aloud. Ask a partner to read it. Use the checklist below.
Save. Save as a PDF with your name in the file name, for example Ama-Mensah-CV.pdf. Print two clean copies on white A4.

My name and phone number are correct
No spelling mistakes (a partner checked)
Every fact is true and I can explain it
Newest things first in each section
At least two achievements with a result
One page, one font, neat spacing
Referees agreed to be named
Saved as a PDF with my name

If you cannot type or read well

Fill in a picture-based CV form with your trainer: boxes with pictures (school, tools, people) and space for short words. Your trainer or a partner types it for you, then reads it back to you so you know every word.
Learn your CV by heart so you can talk about every line.
Blind trainees can write and check a CV with a screen reader such as NVDA on a computer or the Android screen reader on a phone.

Common CV mistakes

Mistake	Fix
Lies or exaggeration	Remove them. A lie found later can cost you the job.
Three or four pages	Cut to one page. Keep what matters for this job.
Fancy fonts, colours, photos of you at a party	Plain, clean layout. A photo is not needed unless the advert asks.
The same CV for every job	Change the profile and the order of skills for each job.
Old phone number	Update it every time you change your number.

Write and check your CV

Fill in each section in pencil first.
Type it (or write neatly) on one page.
Swap with a partner and use the checklist.
Correct the mistakes and save or print two clean copies.

Two referees

Ask two people if they will be your referees. Write their names, jobs and phone numbers in your logbook, and the date they agreed.

Check yourself

Name the sections of a CV in order.
What is the difference between a duty and an achievement?
Why must you ask referees before you list them?

Unit 3 · Application letters, forms and messages

The letter, the form and the WhatsApp message are often the first thing an employer sees. Make the first look a good one.

Competency standard

Learning outcome	Performance criteria — the trainee…
3.1 Read an advert	finds the job title, duties, requirements, how to apply and the closing date
3.2 Write an application letter	writes a one-page letter in the correct layout for a real advert
3.3 Fill in forms	completes an application form neatly and truthfully
3.4 Send messages	writes a polite SMS, WhatsApp and email message to an employer

Range. One real or realistic advert; one form; three messages. Evidence. Annotated advert; letter; form; messages.

Step by step: read a job advert

Underline the job title, the employer, the town.
Circle the requirements: certificates, years of experience, skills.
Box how to apply: by email, by hand, online, by WhatsApp.
Star the closing date. Late applications are usually ignored.
Ask: "Do I meet most of the requirements?" Jobberman's chief executive advised applying only for jobs you qualify for, reading the description closely and following the instructions.
Check it is real (Unit 6): is there a real company, a real address, an official email? Is anyone asking for money? If yes, stop.

The application letter (layout)

                                   Your name
                                   Your address / town
                                   Your phone number
                                   Your email
                                   Date: 8th October, 2026

The Manager (or the name in the advert)
Company name
Address

Dear Sir/Madam,

APPLICATION FOR THE POST OF SHOP ASSISTANT

Paragraph 1: Which job, where you saw it.
Paragraph 2: Why you are suitable: two or three skills with proof.
Paragraph 3: Why you want to work for them.
Paragraph 4: Thank them; say you are ready for an interview.

Yours faithfully,
(signature)
YOUR FULL NAME

Use "Yours faithfully" after "Dear Sir/Madam", and "Yours sincerely" after "Dear Mrs Ansah" (when you use the person's name). Keep it to one page. A role-specific letter for each job is better than one letter for all.

A model letter (example)

Dear Sir/Madam,

APPLICATION FOR THE POST OF SHOP ASSISTANT

I am applying for the post of shop assistant advertised on your notice board at Market Circle on 1st October, 2026.

I have two years' experience selling in my aunt's provisions shop in Effiakuma. I served about 40 customers a day, kept daily sales records and handled cash and mobile money without any shortage. I am polite and I am always on time.

I would like to work in your supermarket because it is well known for good customer service, and I want to grow in retail.

Thank you for considering my application. I am available for an interview at any time and can be reached on 024 000 0000.

Yours faithfully,

(signature)

AMA MENSAH

Step by step: fill in an application form

Read the whole form first.
Use a black pen and CAPITAL letters if the form asks.
Write in pencil first if you are unsure, then ink.
Answer every question. Write "N/A" (not applicable) where a question does not apply.
Copy names and dates exactly from your certificates.
Tell the truth. A false answer can get you dismissed later.
Sign and date it. Keep a photo of the filled form on your phone.

Messages to employers

People now often apply or follow up by WhatsApp, SMS and email. Write as if writing a short letter.

Message	Good example
Asking about a job (WhatsApp/SMS)	"Good morning, Sir. My name is Kofi Eshun. I saw your advert for a welder's helper at Kojokrom. I have NVTI training in welding. May I send my CV? Thank you."
Sending a CV by email	Subject: Application for Welder's Helper – Kofi Eshun. Body: two or three polite lines; attach your CV as a PDF; sign with your name and phone number.
Following up	"Good afternoon, Madam. I applied for the shop assistant post on 1st October. I am still very interested. Please, is there any update? Thank you. Ama Mensah."

Rules: greet; give your name; say which job; be short; no slang, no "pls" or "u"; no voice notes unless they ask; send between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on working days; reply quickly when they answer. Recruitment often takes weeks; Jobberman's chief executive suggested 4 to 6 weeks before following up.

Apply for a real advert

Annotate one real advert (underline, circle, box, star).
Write the application letter on one page.
Fill in one blank application form.
Write the three messages in the table on your phone and show your trainer before sending anything.

Collect adverts

Collect three job adverts this week: one from a notice board, one from a newspaper and one online. Note how each one asks you to apply.

Check yourself

Which four things do you mark on a job advert?
When do you write "Yours faithfully"?
Give two rules for sending a WhatsApp message to an employer.

Unit 4 · Interviews: prepare, practise, perform

An interview is a conversation with a purpose. Prepare like an exam, then talk like a person.

Competency standard

Learning outcome	Performance criteria — the trainee…
4.1 Prepare	researches the employer, plans the journey, prepares documents and clothes
4.2 Answer questions	answers six common questions clearly using short real examples
4.3 Behave well	greets, sits, listens, keeps eye contact (or the respectful local equivalent), thanks the panel
4.4 Follow up	sends a short thank-you message and records what was asked

Range. Two mock interviews: one with a partner and one with a panel. Evidence. Mock interview checklist; answers notes; thank-you message.

Step by step: the day before

Find out about the employer. What do they make or do? Who are their customers? Ask people, look at their signboard, their Facebook page or website.
Read the advert again. Note the three most important requirements. Plan one example for each.
Plan the journey. Find the place. Know the trotro or taxi route and the fare. Plan to arrive 15 minutes early.
Prepare your folder. Two CVs, certificates (originals and copies), the advert, pen, notebook. Not your Ghana Card copy for strangers (Unit 1).
Prepare your clothes. Clean, ironed, simple. For an office: shirt and trousers or a simple dress or kaba and slit. For a workshop or farm job: clean, neat work clothes. Clean shoes. Little perfume and jewellery.
Sleep early. Charge your phone.

The six common questions

Question	What they want to know	How to answer
"Tell us about yourself."	Can you speak clearly about yourself?	Name, training, experience, one strength, why this job. Under one minute.
"Why do you want this job?"	Do you care about this job or any job?	Something real about the job or company, plus your goal.
"What are your strengths?"	Do you know your skills?	Two strengths with a short proof each.
"What is your weakness?"	Are you honest? Do you improve?	A real small weakness and what you are doing about it.
"Tell us about a time you solved a problem."	Can you think and act?	A short story: what happened, what you did, the result.
"Do you have any questions for us?"	Are you interested?	Ask one: "What does a normal day look like?" or "How will you measure success in this job?"

The short-story method is the STAR idea from Unit 2: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Practise each answer aloud until it takes about one minute.

About pay. Do not raise pay in the first minutes. If they ask your expectation, give a reasonable figure that you researched. The national daily minimum wage for 2026 is GH¢21.77; no full-time worker should be paid less.

During the interview

Switch your phone off or to silent before you enter
Greet everyone: "Good morning." Wait to be offered a seat
Sit up, hands still, feet flat
Listen to the whole question; ask them to repeat if you did not hear
Look at the person who asked (or the respectful local way), and speak clearly, not too fast
Tell the truth; if you do not know, say so and say how you would find out
At the end: "Thank you for your time." Shake hands if they offer

After the interview

Write down every question you were asked and how you answered. Note what to improve.
The same day, send a short thank-you message: "Thank you for interviewing me today for the shop assistant post. I am very interested and look forward to hearing from you. Ama Mensah."
Wait. If you hear nothing after the time they said, follow up politely once (Unit 3).

Common mistakes and fixes

Mistake	Fix
Arriving late or very early	Plan the route; arrive 15 minutes early, wait outside
"I can do anything"	Name specific skills with proof
Talking badly about a former boss	Speak calmly; say what you learned
Long, wandering answers	One minute; STAR; stop
No questions for them	Prepare two

Red flags at an "interview". Walk away if you are asked to pay any fee, to hand over your MoMo PIN, to go alone to a private house or hotel room at night, or to give sexual favours. Fake recruiters ask for money for forms, medicals, uniforms and training. Sexual harassment means unwelcome sexual advances or requests by an employer, superior or co-worker. Report it (Unit 6).

Interviews for everyone

Deaf candidates can ask in advance for a sign language interpreter or for written questions. Face the person when you speak and do not shout.
Blind candidates can ask for the address and directions by phone and for documents in an accessible format.
Wheelchair users can ask in advance whether the room is on the ground floor.

Asking for these changes is reasonable. Under Ghana's Persons with Disability Act, an employer must not discriminate against a job applicant on grounds of disability unless the disability is in respect of the job itself.

Mock interviews

Write your one-minute "Tell us about yourself".
Practise the six questions with a partner, then swap.
Sit a panel interview with your trainer and a guest employer.
Send a thank-you message to the panel (practice only).

Mirror practice

Practise your six answers aloud in front of a mirror or record them on a phone. Watch yourself and note two things to improve.

Check yourself

How early should you arrive for an interview?
What does STAR stand for?
Name two red flags that mean you should walk away.

Unit 5 · Workplace English, communication and numbers

Good workers speak clearly, listen carefully and count correctly. These three habits are noticed every day.

Competency standard

Learning outcome	Performance criteria — the trainee…
5.1 Speak at work	greets, takes instructions, asks for help and reports a problem politely in English
5.2 Use the phone	answers and makes a work phone call and takes a message
5.3 Write short notes	writes a clear note, message or simple report
5.4 Use everyday numbers	works out hours, wages, change, simple percentages and measurements correctly

Range. Role-plays for a shop, a workshop, a hotel or an office; worked number exercises. Evidence. Role-play checklist; phone message slip; number exercises.

Useful phrases

Situation	Say this
Greeting	"Good morning, Madam." "Good afternoon, everyone."
Taking an instruction	"Yes, Sir. So you want me to clean the three machines before 10 o'clock?" (repeat it back)
Not understanding	"Sorry, please, could you show me again?"
Asking for help	"Excuse me, please, could you help me with this?"
Reporting a problem	"Madam, the fridge is not cold. I noticed it at 8 o'clock. What should I do?"
Saying sorry	"I am sorry. I made a mistake with the order. I will correct it now."
Customer	"Welcome. How may I help you?" "Thank you. Please come again."

Repeat back every instruction. It shows you listened and stops mistakes.

Listening well

Stop what you are doing and look at the speaker.
Do not interrupt.
Write down numbers, names and times.
Repeat back the key points.
Ask one question if anything is unclear.

The phone

Answering: "Good morning, Takoradi Fashions, Ama speaking. How may I help you?"

Taking a message (fill a slip):

Message for	Mr Arthur
From	Mrs Quaye, Quaye Hotel
Phone	024 000 0000 (example)
Date and time	8 Oct 2026, 10:15 a.m.
Message	Wants 20 uniforms; please call back before 3 p.m.
Taken by	Ama

Writing a short note or report

Answer five questions: What happened? When? Where? Who was involved? What did you do and what is needed? Example: "8 Oct, 9 a.m., workshop: the drill stopped and smelt of burning. Nobody was hurt. I switched it off and unplugged it and put a 'Do not use' tag on it. It needs checking by the electrician. Kofi."

Communication with colleagues with disabilities

With a deaf colleague: face them, get their attention with a light wave or tap, speak clearly at normal speed, write things down if needed.
With a blind colleague: say who you are when you approach, describe where things are, do not move their things without telling them.
Always speak to the person, not to their helper or interpreter.

Everyday numbers at work

1. Time and hours. The Labour Act sets a maximum of 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week, except where the Act allows otherwise. Where work is continuous, a worker gets at least a 30-minute break that counts as working time.

To work out hours: finish time minus start time, minus any unpaid break. Use the 24-hour clock to avoid mistakes: 4:00 p.m. is 16:00.

2. Pay. The national daily minimum wage for 2026 is GH¢21.77. Parliament exempted the minimum wage from income tax in 2026. For a casual worker on weekdays, the minimum monthly pay is the daily wage times 27.

3. Change. Change = money given − price. Count it back to the customer from the price upwards.

4. Percentages. 10% of a number: divide by 10. 5%: half of 10%. 50%: half.

5. Measuring. 1 metre = 100 centimetres; 1 kilogram = 1,000 grams; 1 litre = 1,000 millilitres.

Work numbers

A shift starts at 7:30 and ends at 16:00, with a 30-minute break that is not paid. How many paid hours?
A casual worker on the 2026 minimum wage works 5 days. What is the least they should be paid?
What is the minimum monthly pay for a casual worker on weekdays at the 2026 minimum wage (27 days)?
A customer buys goods for GH¢37.50 and pays with a GH¢50 note. What change?
A boss says, "Give a 10% discount on GH¢240." What does the customer pay?
A tailor needs 2.5 m of cloth for one dress. How many centimetres? How many metres for 6 dresses?

Role-plays

In pairs: take an instruction and repeat it back; ask for help; report a problem.
Answer a phone call and fill a message slip.
Write a five-question report on a small problem your trainer gives you.
Do the number exercise without a calculator, then check with one.

Number diary

For one week, write every sum you do in daily life (fares, market change, phone credit). Bring it to class.

Check yourself

Why do you repeat back an instruction?
What are the five questions for a short report?
What is the most hours a day the Labour Act normally allows?

Unit 6 · Safe job search and your rights at work

Real employers want your work, not your money. Know where to look, know the warning signs and know your rights.

Competency standard

Learning outcome	Performance criteria — the trainee…
6.1 Find real vacancies	names at least five safe places to find jobs in the Takoradi area
6.2 Spot scams	checks three adverts and identifies the fake one with reasons
6.3 Know basic rights	explains contract, hours, leave, pay, safety and harassment rules
6.4 Get help	names where to report a scam or a rights problem

Range. Real and fake adverts; the Labour Act 2003; reporting contacts. Evidence. Job-source list; scam checklist; rights quiz.

Where to find real jobs

Public Employment Centres of the Labour Department. They match jobseekers with employers and give counselling; Ghana has 64 of them, working as district offices of the Labour Department. The law says an unemployed person may register at a Centre and receive a certificate of registration. The Takoradi office address was not verified: ask at the Regional Labour Department.
The Ghana Labour Market Information System (GLMIS), a government web portal meant to close the information gap between jobseekers and employers.
Youth Employment Agency (YEA) Job Centre, with an online portal, a physical centre and a training hub.
Jobberman Ghana, a private job site with a Takoradi listings page. Jobberman says it does not charge jobseekers.
Notice boards at company gates, churches, the Assembly, training centres; newspapers; radio announcements.
People you know: former teachers, master craftsmen, church and community leaders. Jobberman's chief executive advised using your network.
Walk-in visits to shops, hotels, workshops and farms with your CV.

How job scams work

Scammers send messages by SMS, Facebook, WhatsApp and Telegram offering jobs; some copy the websites of real government agencies; many advertise high-paying security jobs.
In "task" scams, you are paid small amounts for liking posts, then asked to deposit money to unlock bigger tasks; after you pay, you are locked out. By November 2023 the Cyber Security Authority had 15 such reports with losses over GH¢124,000.
Fake recruiters ask for payment for forms, medicals, background checks, uniforms and training, and collect ID copies for identity theft.
The Ghana Education Service warned in 2025 about fake recruitment adverts and appointment letters, and said its recruitment is free at every stage.
In 2023 the Ministry warned about a fake email that told people to pay GH¢300 to mobile money numbers for a public service interview, and said the Ministry is not a recruitment body.

Scam checklist: stop if you see any of these

Anyone asks you to pay for a form, interview, medical, uniform, training or "protocol"
High pay for little work, or a job you never applied for
Contact only by WhatsApp, Telegram or SMS, no office address
Poor spelling and grammar, an email from a free address (gmail, yahoo) claiming to be a ministry
A request for your Ghana Card, PIN, MoMo PIN or bank details before you meet
Pressure: "Pay today or lose the chance"
A job abroad from a person who is not a licensed agency

What to do. Do not pay. Do not send ID. Check the employer through its official website, office or phone number. Report to the Cyber Security Authority by call or text on 292 or WhatsApp 0501603111, or to the police. The Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations also has a toll-free line, 0800600400.

Jobs abroad: extra care

Only a licensed Private Employment Agency may recruit workers in Ghana for employers, and it must be a company licensed by the Minister. Recruiting for jobs outside Ghana is allowed only if the licence permits it and there is an agreement between Ghana and that country.
The Ministry publishes the list of licensed agencies on its website, and you can check an agency's status with the Labour Department.
The Ghana Immigration Service warned in August 2026 that traffickers use fake photos, including AI images, and ask victims to send money to local MoMo accounts; it said education does not protect you from being deceived.

Your basic rights at work (Labour Act, 2003, Act 651)

Right	What the law says
Written contract	Work of six months or more must be secured by a written contract
Written terms	Within two months of starting, the employer gives a signed written statement of the main terms
Fair treatment	An employer must not discriminate on grounds of gender, race, ethnic origin, religion, social or economic status, disability or politics
Hours	Maximum 8 hours a day or 40 a week, except where the Act allows
Rest	At least 12 hours' rest between working days and 48 hours in every seven days
Leave	At least 15 working days' paid leave a year; an agreement to give it up is void
Public holidays	Paid
Equal pay	Equal pay for equal work
No fines	An employer must not fine a worker or make deductions not allowed by law
Safety	The employer must provide safe conditions and protective equipment at no cost to the worker; the worker must use it
Danger	A worker may leave a situation of imminent serious danger and report it, and must not be punished for it
Maternity	At least 12 weeks' maternity leave with full pay
No forced labour	Nobody may be made to work under threat of a penalty
Unions	Every worker may form or join a trade union

Your duties too. The same Act says a worker must report for work regularly and on time, work carefully, obey lawful instructions, take care of fellow workers' safety and look after the employer's property.

Getting help. Talk to your supervisor first. Then the Labour Department or a trade union. A worker who believes they were unfairly dismissed may complain to the National Labour Commission.

Rights of jobseekers and workers with disabilities

Public Employment Centres must provide for the registration, employment, training and retraining of persons with disability, and the Ministry is to help secure jobs for persons with disability through these centres.
An employer who hires a person with disability must provide the working tools and facilities the person needs to do the job.
Sightsavers, Challenges Ghana and the Ghana Blind Union run the RISEE project, which began in April 2024 and aims to place 270 persons with disabilities in sustainable jobs over three years.
The Ghana Business Disability Network held a career fair where about 50 jobseekers with disabilities met about 20 private employers, with CV reviews and career coaching.

Real or fake?

Your trainer gives you three adverts. Use the scam checklist and mark the fake one, giving three reasons.
Make a list of at least five safe job sources near you, with addresses or links.
In pairs, explain three rights from the table to each other in Fante, Twi or English.

Warn a friend

Explain the scam checklist to a friend or family member and write down what they said.

Check yourself

Give three warning signs of a fake job offer.
Who may recruit Ghanaians for jobs abroad?
How many days of paid leave does the Labour Act give at least?

Unit 7 · Location, small business ideas and marketing yourself

If no one will hire you today, someone may buy your service today. Be ready for both.

Competency standard

Learning outcome	Performance criteria — the trainee…
7.1 Find where the work is	names places in the Takoradi area where jobs and customers are
7.2 Plan a small service	chooses a small service to offer and works out a simple price
7.3 Market yourself	writes a WhatsApp profile, a short "elevator" pitch and a simple poster
7.4 Include everyone	names changes that help persons with disabilities find and do work

Range. The trainee's own plan. Evidence. Pitch; WhatsApp profile; price sheet; one-page plan.

Where the work is (location settings)

Market Circle and the central business area: shops, banks, pharmacies, offices
Takoradi port and the Harbour area: logistics, warehouses, transport
Hotels, restaurants and guest houses in Takoradi and along the coast
Industrial areas and workshops: fabrication, repairs, construction
Schools, hospitals and churches: cleaning, catering, security, admin support
Farms and agro-processing in Ahanta West and the surrounding districts

Go where many employers are close together, so one day of walk-in visits covers many doors.

Small service ideas that use job-readiness skills

CV and letter help for neighbours, typed on a phone or computer
Typing and printing if you have or can share a computer and printer
Form-filling help for people who cannot read well (honestly, with their permission)
Job-advert board: collect real adverts each week and share them on a WhatsApp status (never charge people to apply, and check adverts are real)
Your trade service (sewing, hair, repairs) while you look for a job

Price a CV-typing service (all figures are examples)

You type and print a one-page CV. Your costs: printing 2 pages at GH¢1 each, data GH¢2, transport share GH¢3. You want to earn GH¢20 for 1 hour of your work. What is your cost, and what price covers your time? If a customer wants 5 extra copies at GH¢1 each, what is the new price?

Market yourself

1. Your 30-second pitch. Who you are, what you do, your best proof, what you want. Example: "My name is Kofi Eshun. I am an NVTI-trained welder from Kojokrom. I made 40 burglar-proof bars last year with my master. I am looking for work in a fabrication shop."

2. Your WhatsApp profile. A clear photo of your face, smiling, plain background; your name and trade in the "About" line; a status that shows your work (photos of what you made) and never anything you would not want an employer to see.

3. A small poster or flyer. Name, service, phone, area, two photos of your work.

4. Show up. Go to job fairs, training days and church and community events with your CV.

5. Be the same online and offline. Employers may look at your social media. Remove rude posts.

Accessibility

Ghana's Persons with Disability Act 2006 (Act 715) protects applicants with disabilities from discrimination. The share of the District Assemblies Common Fund for persons with disabilities rose from 3% to 5% from 2026, aimed at skills training, assistive devices and start-up capital. Ask the Sekondi-Takoradi Assembly's social welfare office how to apply.

Practical changes in job search and small services:

Large-print or audio CV practice and a screen reader for blind jobseekers
Written and picture instructions, and a sign language interpreter or written questions for deaf jobseekers
Ground-floor meeting places and ramps for wheelchair users; choose a ground-floor spot for a typing service
Pair work: one person reads, one types; one walks to deliver, one stays at the stall
Roles that suit many abilities: typing, phone calls, record keeping, form-filling help, WhatsApp marketing

My plan

Write and say your 30-second pitch to the class.
Set up your WhatsApp profile (photo, About line) and show your trainer.
Price one small service using the method above.
Write a one-page plan: where you will look for work, which service you will offer meanwhile, and how you will market yourself.

Walk-in visits

Visit three employers near you with your CV. Note the name, the person you met and what they said.

Check yourself

Give three places in the Takoradi area where many employers are.
What goes into a 30-second pitch?
Why must you never charge someone to "find" them a job?

Glossary

Term	Meaning
Achievement	A result you got because you did a task well
Application form	A form an employer gives you to fill in when applying
Casual worker	Someone doing seasonal or on-and-off work, paid by the day
CV (curriculum vitae)	A short summary of your skills, training and experience
GLMIS	Ghana Labour Market Information System, a government jobs portal
Labour Act	The Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), Ghana's main work law
Minimum wage	The lowest daily pay allowed by law
Pitch	A short spoken summary of who you are and what you offer
Private Employment Agency	A licensed company that finds workers for employers
Public Employment Centre	A government office that helps jobseekers and employers
Referee	A person who will tell an employer about you
Soft skills	People skills: punctuality, teamwork, politeness, honesty
STAR	Situation, Task, Action, Result: a way to tell a short work story
Vacancy	A job that is open

Logbook

Unit 1: skills table; job folder checked; worker interview notes
Unit 2: CV first draft and final; partner checklist; referees' names and dates
Unit 3: annotated advert; letter; filled form; three messages; three collected adverts
Unit 4: one-minute answer; mock interview checklists; mirror practice notes
Unit 5: phone message slip; short report; number exercises; number diary
Unit 6: real-or-fake marking; list of five job sources; notes from warning a friend
Unit 7: pitch; WhatsApp profile; price sheet; one-page plan; walk-in visit notes
Every homework, dated

Self-check quiz

Name the three kinds of skills and give one example of each.
List the sections of a CV in order.
Rewrite this duty as an achievement: "I worked in a chop bar."
What four things do you mark on a job advert?
How do you end a letter that starts "Dear Sir/Madam"?
What does STAR stand for, and when do you use it?
Name three things you do after an interview.
A shift is 8:00 to 17:00 with a one-hour unpaid break. How many paid hours?
What is the 2026 daily minimum wage, and what is it for 5 days?
Give four warning signs of a job scam.
Name three rights a worker has under the Labour Act 2003.
Name two changes that help jobseekers with disabilities.