Starting an online business in Ghana used to be a challenge because of limited internet availability and a limited number of active users but as these challenges have been taken care of and advancements have been made in these areas, online businesses have now started to flourish in the country.
We are now seeing many young graduates starting their own digital companies and startups, selling different products and providing services over the internet.
The increase in the number of such businesses and startups has not only given a boost to the economy but also helped to produce new employment opportunities for people in the country.
Unemployment used to be a huge issue in the country and still is but the increasing internet advancements and the trend of online businesses have provided some promising employment opportunities to ease off the burden of unemployment and also helped the economy of the country.
The Role Of The Internet
We cannot undermine the importance and role of the internet in fueling the world’s economy. Not only in Ghana but all over the world, the internet has helped to provide so many opportunities for individuals to make a living for themselves and be financially independent.
In Ghana, the introduction of high-speed internet and advanced mobile phones helped to prepare the population for the digital world. The number of active internet users in Ghana is increasing with every passing week and month.
There was a time when only a limited number of people were familiar with the internet and the technologies that were used around the world but thanks to the easy availability and low cost of high-speed internet, we have seen major internet advancements in the country.
As more and more people are starting to use the internet and finding out its true potential, more online businesses are starting around the country, creating new job opportunities and helping to fuel the economy. People are also learning about different online and computer-related skills through the internet which helps them to land jobs easily.
Job Creation
When we talk about online businesses then there is so much you can do on the internet. For providing services like software development for simple programs such as Scrabble Word Finder, graphics designing, and video editing to digital marketing, e-commerce stores, and virtual assistants, there is so much to do on the internet and online businesses need people who can provide such services.
Any business that operates on the internet requires graphics designers, social media managers, digital markets, and developers to keep the business running and this creates a lot of job opportunities. But that is not it, online businesses that employ people directly, employ more people indirectly creating more employment opportunities for the people.
You don’t need to be an expert software developer who has worked on big projects like Words With Friends to land an indirect job. You just need to be willing to work because as a business starts, it creates a lot of associated jobs too.
For instance, when an online business sets up its office then workers are going to purchase meals that will help nearby restaurants and street vendors. Some workers will require their food to be delivered to the office which will create jobs for delivery boys. It also creates opportunities for other people who will be working in the offices for various purposes such as cleaning, sanitation, security, etc.
As it is apparent, a single online business can produce different direct and indirect employment opportunities that help to stabilize and even boost the economy of the country.
Working From Home
Not every online business has an office because most online businesses offer home-based job positions since all of the work can be done remotely. Working from home is not only preferred by employees but it helps to increase their productivity and reduces their stress levels too. Employees feel comfortable working from home as they are familiar with their home environment and comfortable with everything.
Remote working and working from home also help to reduce pollution as fewer people travel to work. It also helps employees to save money indirectly as they won’t have to spend money every day on gas or bus fares as they can do their job from their homes without having to travel. So, in a nutshell, online businesses provide employment opportunities to skilled individuals at their convenience as they don’t even have to leave their homes in order to earn for themselves.
It became very clear during the pandemic that online businesses have an edge over physical businesses and we are headed in the direction where soon everything will be digital. It is a good thing that the people of Ghana have realized the importance of the internet and started online businesses to fuel the economy of the country.