I'm glad you guys are feeling more comfortable addressing the issues Ghana has. We want to make Ghana and the African continent the best it can be and being silent on things we can change won't make that happen✊🏿❤.
How does complaining and whining every time on TH-cam fix anything? If they aren’t comfortable with the way of life in Ghana they are free to move back to the US
So glad you are addressing this issue. It’s in most African countries. There once upon a time was standards that were observed; but over the years, employers don’t pay these workman. They have to beg for their money, then they start developing attitudes. Those who are self employed just lie that they can do the job but the big question is to what standard? So the best way I deal with this, I will not part with my money until I am satisfied with the job, and that includes cleaning up after themselves. On the day they should be paid I go round with them pointing out areas I am not happy with and explain that they will not be getting the money until I am satisfied. If they are coming from a company I always insist on speaking to the boss and clarify why I am not paying for a half done shoddy job. I have 3 projects on the go with lots of workman to deal with . And I never allow them to leave until I am happy. It can be very challenging but I find this attitude towards cleaning is mainly if you allow it. Pull them up every time you see mess (which can be every where) you look. This is an area all of us Africans need to learn. We need to clean our places. It’s a reflection of who we are. We litter everywhere and leave mess. And when our foreign brothers and sisters gently point it out. We want to get attitude and become defensive. The truth is the truth, we need to work on our attitudes and cleanliness. Some of the rudeness comes from lack of understanding. Thank you for doing this correction. We honestly need to hear more of this as a people and be grateful that these are our own people politely correcting us. Thank you👌🏽
These issues are NOT just a Ghana thing but happen to be profuse ALSO in Ghana - I was in Gambia last month and offered to purchase the materials needed for a gig the next day - The "Professional" said no he was good he had what he needed - Since I was just overseeing the gig, I informed the actual client what the guy's plan was - Next day I found out the guy used scraps of wires spliced together and wrapped about 15 feet of scrapped wire with electrical tape for a wiring harness - I'd offered to buy a whole new spool of wire at my expense - He professionally declined so he can install the potential for malfunction and fire hazerd instead - Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
I have had the same exact experiences in Rwanda. A very good trade school would work wonders on the continent. We also need to start manufacturing our own tools on the continent. Well........we need to start manufacturing everything on the continent.
My husband has been a tradesman in the US for 40 years. We now live in Panamá. The biggest thing he has noticed is the lack of workmen having proper tools. Because wages are low, and tools are expensive, you get what they can do with what they got.
disagree. You can't put everything down to poverty. some of the tradesmen do not take the time to actually learn about their trade and do nit have any real passion for it, its just a means to making money. I've had tradesmen turn up to work without the basics of their tools that are cheap in the market. If after work they didn't go straight to the bar and buy a few tots of liquor, at the end of the week they would be able to buy their tools.
There is a AA family in Gambia who has had issues with so called tradesmen who don’t have proper tools, steals, and breaks tools, steal items such as jacks and batteries, they don’t have their own jacks. They steal electronics, and take many months to repair vehicles. Be careful when having bricks made or your fences and buildings may fall apart. The roads are bad which cause issues for vehicles. Cheap tools from another continent are sold and there are no warranties. People have had security bars taken off of a home and the home was robbed. In another instance the so called “Security man moved his wife and children into the rental property and the owner of the home another AA couple was renting was ok with the other family living on the property. When subscribers send packages do not show them and the contents on your TH-cam channel, thieves broke into a family’s home and robbed them. The concrete bricks were poorly made and there was not enough rebar in them robbers knocked a very large hole into a wall outside of the compound.
Here's a short story. I visited Ghana in 2019, upon arrival I went to a restaurant down the street from my airbnb. I have never been treated worse on the continent than I was at that restaurant. Clearly, they didn't want my money so I left. I wandered into another establishment, Sun City apartments in Osu, was greeted at the door by a well dressed manager, invited in, taking up to a rooftop bar and restaurant, where my daughter and I enjoyed good food, great views and exceptional service. Customer service is not a "cultural phenomenon"...it simply good business practice. I will continue to share this experience because Sun City employees showed me what Ghana is capable of being given the right set of expectations...the other place will NEVER see my face again.
Not trying to be funny but isn’t that the same the world over where you get good customer service in one establishment and not another? I agree that some places in Ghana need to up their game but this idea that customer service abroad is always top notch really gets up my nose !! You get the same bad service in the west especially from black people but nobody talks about that. I personally always get the very best service so it makes me wonder what I do differently....... could it have something to do with how I approach people?
@@esson7994 could it has something to with your standard of good customer service may differ from someone else's? Additionally, people do complain about customer service in the west but this video is about customer service in Africa and not the west. We've seen plenty of videos about the lack of good customer and skilled labor in Africa....everybody a'int lying.
@@Crob100 I can assure that you that like everyone else, I expect a high standard of service but the thing with me unlike some people is that, I also believe in treating people the way I would like to be treated !! I always approach people respectfully regardless of who or what they are and I’m very reasonable in my dealings with others so I always get the best reception wherever I go. If I earned money from people complimenting on how I carry myself, I would be very rich indeed.
@@esson7994 no it shouldn't be "treat others how you won't to be treated". It should be treat others how they want to be treated as perceptions on good treatment and bad treatment varies from person to person. A waiter's perception on how they want to be treated may vary from mine.
Whilst the customer service can be a problem in Ghana or in many other places, the issue can be treated in a , serious helpful and constructive manner rather than making mockery of everything you have experienced.
It is now time to inject some professionalism into the entire service and vocational industries. So this offers some great opportunities for investing into service training and customer service
Let's us know. Seriously make a YT channel I will subscribe but what this YT channel is discussing , is probably most of Africa. Yes, I hate to paint with a broad brush but their experience mimic mines and the fact these issues are all over to less or more of the same.
May be y'all should start a staffing agency to fill the void in the customer service sector. Btw, this is not just a Ghana problem; it's continental issue.
I sincerely believe the *Most Important* thing Ghana could do to improve tourism, Ex-Pat retention and just the overall quality of life for EVERY Ghanaian is to be Hyper Focused on making *GOOD/QUALITY CUSTOMER SERVICE* a reality! *Social Services* - roads, schools, overall infrastructure, etc... *Hospitality Services* - restaurants, hotels, house keepers, etc... *Professional Services* - plumbers, electricians, carpenters, etc... I honestly don't know what it is, but a many who seem to lack the desire to provide Quality/Good Customer Service! SAD!
I think the problem is that they only get paid once a month after work the whole month without money is the problem could you imagine that as a American….but I got a plan to change that pay system…love you guys and keep up the good work… and May God Bless Africa again
I have a suggestion have considered creating an Expat telephone book (digital) that only list contractors from the African diaspora who have proper tools and are professional. The other issue is having access to a supply chain to order the appropriate tools. They can also utilize You Tube tutorials for just about anything.
People do take customer service courses in other countries. Also it goes back to the phrase “treat people how you want to be treated”. Unfortunately some people grew up being treated different, so they are accustom to “bad treatment”.
Good points as always, I’m willing to teach courses on customer service amongst other things but the counsel and education committee has to agree to it. Us not the Asians have to do it.
Another excellent vlog as always. Customer service is indeed almost non-existent in Gh. It is for that reason that organizations that are serious about customer service hire the services of consultants to train their employees. The problem with that, though, is that customer service is viewed as the responsibility of a receptionist or a secretary rather than what should permeate the fiber of the whole organization. As a result, middle and top management hardly avail themselves of the training, let alone incorporating it in corporate governance. Unfortunately, as bad as it is in Ghana, similar or worse tendencies are developing in some parts of the US too. All the same, some of the things you mentioned are cultural, rather than bad customer service or a lack of training. For example, what you said about checks/ bills: If you did what you said was standard practice to a Ghanaian customer, that would be horrible customer service to them; it would be interpreted as “So you are on a hurry to get rid of me?!! Here’s your money and I’m never coming back!” Also the way Ghanaians eat and drink is such that they may pause and the resume after 30 minutes or 1 hour . Need o say leaving the restaurant quickly in Ghana is often misinterpreted as you’re broke! 😂 With the technicians, it’s worthy of not that as a developing country, many learn these trades on their own or as apprentices of trainers who learned it from another trainer who was an apprentice. That is not to say there are no vocational training schools. But all such trades have been disregarded as for school dropouts or/and illiterates. As a result, even the technical and polytechnic (tertiary) institutions are today almost nonexistent, as they have been turned into high schools and technical universities, so-called. So, while they qualified, professional artisans are available, their number is few; what is more, they are more expensive. I can go on and on but would leave you for now. ❤❤❤
Thanks so much for this comment. You articulated most of the thoughts I was having better than I could have. Really spot on. Indeed, there actually are technicians who have been trained to “western standards” and deliver at a very high level of quality. Those who properly trained at vocational schools and went on to get accreditation for their work. They happen to be in the minority and we just don’t have an easy way of identifying them. Also, they are more expensive to hire and most people aren’t willing to pay premium for technical services like they would in western countries. Relying on word of mouth references is hit or miss because their past experience may have required a very different type of work from the technician and also your standards may be different from theirs. We recently had to install a new meter at a home we moved into and were told by ECG to get some stuff checked by an ECG approved electrician. There was a whole list with contact info online of electricians who had been specifically approved by ECG. I never knew that before. The guy we ended up calling was super good and professional - timely, knew his stuff, had all the tools, communicated clearly, cleaned up after himself, etc. I was so surprised to know such service was available in Accra. None of this is to discredit the main idea that Ghana can’t compete when it comes to customer services. I 100% agree with that. In fact my husband and I just arrived in Nairobi this morning and were discussing the STARK difference in the quality of customer service. Just adding more nuance to the discussion that in as much as it’s widespread, understanding a bit more of the context helps us to understand where we need to focus on improving.
I agree with @Andrew. Create Ayo's list, like Angie's list, so you'll have a database of reputable, prepared and reliable tradesmen, and customer service workers.
This is a business opportunity. Good customer service is a human social standard than a problem with developing nations. S. Africa & Rwanda are doing better. We must make it a habit to teach this in school and reinforce it on media, and reward the best bizs offering great services.
Tony and your beautiful wife, I have been laughing so hard my ribs are hurting. I have personally experienced same and it has been so frustrating. Agree that this is an opportunity for someone establishing such a customer service training program.
They probably need to have some sort of scheme where they try to attract people from other countries Kenya South Africa et cetera where there’s more of a service industry to come and train people. I reckon a lot of the time maybe Ghanaians are just trained to do what they’re told rather than thinking critically
I agree. Does not seem as if much critical or logical thinking occurs for task-oriented jobs. Instead of customer service training there needs to be Critical Thinking courses. 😆
I have several rental properties in the US. Its not just contractors in developing countries. You have to watch all contractors, learn how to do it yourself so that you can correct it later if necessary. I’ve had to rewire houses, replace pipes in crawlspace at some point when a trusted professional is not available, do it yourself.
This would be a great opportunity for someone to start a company where they vet trained service providers, and train customer service reps, then open a website where you can go hire these plumbers, carpenters, waiters etc. Something like an employment agency, where people looking for work and people looking for employees or a service provider can apply.
Customer service in Ghana is terrible and I think business owners don’t train their employees. If someone opens a customer service training school and looks for placement in businesses for the students, they will make a profitable business.
Look guys, just make suggestions along the way. Where I am from, some of these things use to happen but they've improved a whole lot in a short time. If they see you do it, or you ask, they will understand to change their mindset.
Someone of your comments were unfair. If someone unaccustomed to taking pictures does not understand when you ask them to take a a picture , it is unfair to knock them for that. She probably does not take selfies, so she did not understand what you meant
Thanks for sharing your story. This is actually the same story in many countries in Latin America also. It is so important for folks to be aware that living abroad is not the end to their frustrations from their home country. Adapting to life abroad is a science and so happy you guys are patiently going through the process.
I congratulate you on the move. I couldn't do it. I'm use to the easy life here in the US but I would love to visit but never leaving America. We got our problems and you've got yours.
Then stay in America if life is that easy there. Don't even visit us . We don't need you here. Asians, Chinese, Indians, Europeans Arabs etc etc... are coming massively to Africa because of huge opportunities. They are setting up businesses to change things, just like afreecans of the diaspora. On the other side lazy people with a mindset of laziness are just looking for places were everything is already done . We are building our beloved continent . We DO NOT want/need such people here. Full Stop!
Also, it is more likely than not that the Mechanic and employees will use your vehicles for personal use and will take your batteries, jacks and many items come up missing. Families have had bricks and fences made which collapsed.
I think it’s a case of you don’t know, what you don’t know. They don’t have anything to model their hospitality after, or examples. It’s literally on the fly & “learn as you go” Especially when people have foreign standards, I can see how it can be frustrating seeing situations like this. It’s also a mentality & common sense thing I hate to say……..
They DO KNOW - They watch movies and see it... Folks just choose to emulate the wrong things... People have traveled they have experienced it... Folks just choose to use their money to buy a wig or a V8 instead of paying for a course for the employees at the shop they own
But there are American companies like Marriott, Hilton, Starbucks, Apple' etc....that have good models of customer service that should be studied and duplicated across Ghana.
@@a2theb46 TRUish - There are also a handful of Ghanaian & African owned companies that can be exemplified - I despise when folks use the ignorance excuse or deflection - Like all these folks on tiktok or figuring out how to acquire fake lashes can also take the time to watch videos to improve the quality of service
I used to think I had mental or ocd issues bcs I always NOTICE stuff in Gh. I swear ppl here thought I was difficult. But I'm glad the grief is also noticed by others. And the "others" is always other foreigners. Which concluded my case study. I decided to just build In the woods vs the city. I will have less grief n stress n frustration awaaaaay from ppl. I love Gh for it's awesome environment, but socialization out here and needing services done at the house......leads me to grief n frustration.
Hmmm I am from Ghana, and I feel for you. In the past when I run into a situation like that I just buy the tool. And as a matter of fact one guy wanted to keep the tool I bought. I had choice words for him and promptly pointed out that if he took it and another guy came to do work for me and didn’t have the tool I just bought I would have to buy it again. Even after giving this explanation he seemed to think I was being mean by not giving him the tool. Go figure.
They can't compete because they can't be told. My husvand and I were going to a wedding in a place we hadn't been before. We took a taxi which sounds pretty normal. Unfortunately they won't necessarily know how to get there but they won't listen to you to take direction, they would rather argue with you!
Thank You! I’m 66 Years Tender Age Senior And My Beloved Father Is From Ghana-Africa And Came To AMERICA For A Better Life. He Passed Away Many Years Ago. Peace ✌️
I believe that training and supervision is key in Ghana and probably all over Africa !However, here in the US we’ve had a couple of excellent workers come to our house who didn’t clean up their work areas properly. Clean up of the work area is a basic fundamental that is taught to young trainees. Many workers have to be supervised while doing their job. I’ve observed in Mexico that construction workers are supervised continuously to insure quality work on certain job sites. I believe the causes for the issues you’ve described are many, including the need for apprenticeships. The government needs to support an initiative to improve the customer service situation and the need for construction training in general. I’ve observed on TH-cam too many Ghanaian construction do-overs, because of messups by so called contractors. I believe the roads situation needs to be addressed immediately, in a bold way by the Ghanaian government. Ghana should set high goals to be the best! Ghana can do it.
Artisans in Ghana ankasa de3, working with most of them is quite horrible at times even for locals. I'm a Ghanaian living Accra and in one instance, some carpenters installed a wardrobe in my house and they used two days to do that and later complained that I didn't even offer them food. Another set came to install stones in the house and after they were done eating the food I had offered, they idled around for about an hour and left around 3:30pm and told me they will continue the next day. Ghanafo) we can do better na customer service wei de3 3ny3 koraa
Tony and Ayo you are right in observing that there aren't enough well trained tradesmen in Ghana that can be relied on to do simple or complex tasks. But there is a way around this conundrum. You may want to create a roster of good tradesmen and yes there some in the system that you can rely on. You get the good ones through a referral system, from friends and acquaintances. And when you hire the good ones you pay them well, so that next time you need their services they will gladly show up.
I believe they've done that but here in Ghana the tradesmen may do things correctly on the 1st few visits but do something totally different when they return to do additional work...for example, I had a plumber that I have used may times in the past come out to run a water line. He bought a family member on this occasion to dig a trench for the piping. When I stepped outside to see how the work was going I found the family member (a grown man) playing with a container of toys I had for my children...can you picture me seeing him with a child's sunglasses on while playing with hot wheels cars and blowing bubbles? Unbelievable right...come to Ghana and see for yourself..lol.
Let us not dwell on the negative. People can be trained to do the right thing. The current government is working hard to address the shortcomings by retooling technical, vocational and educational training (TVET) schools. TVETS have been added to the free SHS program. In the medium term, the skills gaps should improve.
There used to be State Construction company with very skilled workforce who built most of the government building you see in Ghana. Rawlings closed such a vital State entity, and the result is what we see now. The same was the PWD
It's just not Ghana. It's most of West and West.Central Africa. When I was in Guinea Equatorial, a lady was working on CS skills ( now that I think about it, she was from Ghana ), and she would tell horror stories of just how bad the local mobile provider was about customer serivce. I know some one is going to bash me, but unless the busines is a EU/US base business customer service is just none existenace based on my experience with dealing in Africa & in the tourism, hotel, airport, banking sectors.
These are factual observations. Thanks for highlighting them. Ghana is still developing and as we build stronger and smarter institutions and regulators, these issues will be solved. To start with, most of these professions are unregulated or poorly regulated hence anyone at all can enter, whether trained or untrained. This results in non-uniformity in the level of services offered. Unfortunately, the socio-political system at play does not seem to favour problem solving. We see, hear and smell our problems but no one knows who is to solve them and why they are not solved. We are hopeful though, it can only get better....with time!
Not wanting to cause a civil war between Nigerian Pan African and my fellow Pan Africans in Ghana my friend for the UK a few years ago came to stay with me in Nigeria for about 3 months and took a visit to Ghana. Obviously I mentioned that in Ghana he would be having light more frequently than in Nigeria and it will be more organised than Nigeria. However when he came back to Nigeria his main observation was that after spending months in Lagos, Abuja and Kano he found Ghana too laid back for him. He said he felt we hustled more in Nigeria and as such things got done a lot quicker (not necessarily better) and that in Nigeria everyone was looking for ways to make a living and would be prepared to work long hours for it to happen.
It’s customary in many other countries not to bring the check until you request it. They consider it rude, and like they’re rushing you, if they bring it before it’s requested.
Truish - But you can check within 5-10 mins of clearing a table if they need ANYTHING - But disappearing is unacceptable... The fact that every1 is different and from different places is also service intelligence that businesses & staff need to apply, every situ is different
@@dapdap5137 every1 is different - If you claim to be a world class tourist destination (Ghana has been making such claims of late) - You must be able to exercise customer intelligence and be present & attentitive enough to recognize notice fidget or anxious customers that are looking around ready to go or the laid back customers that have all the time in the world
Very well said. The country need to set their standards higher. They need a complete overall. If they knew better they would do better. They need to realize what they are doing wrong and be willing to improve.
This is what we have being complaining about all the time. The education system do not equip the youth with relevant skills to tackle such issues appropriately but they still want to find ways around to survive in the system
@Ayo, that is exactly the problem right there. Many of these people did not go to any school to learn how to become electricians or whatever else. They just served as apprentices and then when they believe they've learned enough, they "graduate" to start their own thing. This applies to carpenters, plumbers, electricians, mechanics etc etc. Fortunately, there has been some improvement in the clothesmaking industry so now we see a number of "professional" tailors and seamstresses.
You're judging the people of Ghana, and their strange, African, non-Western ways, through the lens of an American (or at least a Westerner). This is a very condescending and dare I say a neo-colonial way of seeing people and cultures that are different than your own! Good service is a product of Western capitalism.
@@AltRockLover Nope, You are wrong. Ghanaians themselves complain about these poor services so this has nothing to do with the Diaspora. The difference is that Ghanaians would typically complain but take whatever it is in their stride and move on. The Diaspora, on the other hand, 2ould demand and insist that the right thing is done. That's the difference. How can you even say something like that? Customer service is a cultural thing? Who doesn't like or want excellent customer service?
The factors are many but I will deal with a few here: First, there are really no "standards " or what you would refer to as "building codes". Second, the entire "vocational industry" or technical services industry had been left for school drop-outs. For years, it had been accepted as normal for those who drop out of school or in some cases, don't even go to school at all to go into the vocational industry.
Hello I love your expat ghana , I'm getting ready to move to ghana .I've been all over the continent . What do you think would be the success of a small home equipment supply hardware store in Accra . And how could I advertise my present but I will be working with limited funds but I think that that will be a proven need business v. What do you think. Also I'm a 51 yr. Old African American as well .
My organization is assisting a group of African American investors in their research, and business investment strategy, for Ghana. In the interest of being respectful and avoiding a reinvention of Ghana’s job training wheel, we reached out to the country’s investment promotion center a month ago. At some point, we hope to learn about existing efforts and initiatives to develop/upskill the workforce to meet Ghana's broad range of industry needs. What y’all pointed out confirms that there is definitely a job training gap that needs to be filled. It’s frustrating, but it’s also a huge opportunity.
This stuff is nuts. But the other extreme is America where we are so spoiled that nobody wants to work in customer service and deal with rotten, spoiled customers who are absolutely determined to believe that the customer is always right. I saw people do unbelievable things. Returning things to the store after they had used them is one that makes me shake my head. I was in Dunkin Donuts one day and a woman walked in with an EMPTY bottle of milk and said, after I finished this, I noticed that the expiration date on it was past due. The employee apologized, gave her ANOTHER bottle. But that milk was good, even if the date was past. She didn't even have a receipt to prove she bought it there. But, American "customer service" is sometimes ridiculous like that. That lady should have been thrown out, but then everybody in America would have said how customer service was so bad and nobody should go to Dunkin Donuts again.
Thanks for the laugh, you two have a good attitude about all of this. One of the main reasons people try to avoid calling professional service folks in the U.S. is the professional-service folks' cost. They charge so much... they better do a good job. But sometimes even they don't, despite the hefty invoice they give you. But because of their rates and training there's a lot of dignity attached to their work. Ghana just needs a little bit of that. Do they charge service fees, just to come to the house and check? If not, maybe that's why they quote high and unnecessary job rates? Hang it there.
I recently spent a week in Qatar to watch a couple of matches. I called some cleaners to do some work while i was out. Came back to a really shoddy job from cleaners that my airbnb host personally recommended. And to think all the world is there right now to all the glitz, yet something like that happens.
Hey Mr. Tony & Mrs . Ayo This is your Savannah , Georgia sister presently residing in cold New York . Tony , you look even better since my sister came back home with the boys . CHALE - OUT - Sister Acouvi
Bto . Tony & Sister Ayo , the both of you ate looking very good with all of that coordinating and paying attention to detail. Anticipating hanging out with you all at the next meet& Greet that will be held during the last part of May or mid - June . Had a great time when held atvthe Gazebo View June of 2022 & expect to have a terrific time in 2023. Chale-Out Sister Aciuvi .
I love Ghana , Togo and Africa as a whole but Yes Customer service and Employe training is an issue in Ghana and most of Africa . I believe what is needed in a national training program and certification system . Many people are only one generation removed from a village , and there is nothing wrong with that ( I belive Village life is probably healthier ) but there is a huge difference between how a village and growing city like Accra works and as many people as possible need to understand that fact. The original plans of Accra that the British built on were only for a population of 250k , today its over 2.6 million with very lil infrastructure upgrades . I think Ghana needs to get very strict on drivers and make sure they all get training and get un-safe vehicles and drivers off the roads to start with and use a similar approach to improve other sectors critical to safety , well-being , and future economic growth . Africa and its people have opportunities and potential like no other place on the planet today , I hope we make the most of it. The longer the delay they faster Africa will drift backward from other areas of the world . Let Make Things Better any and everyway we can !💪🏾
Yep you guys said it all and we have been trying to tell them for years and is a lot of phd book readers with certifications with no technical know how. And yet the country Ghana wonder why they are still where they are.
Every1 is different - But an efficient clean job/service no matter the profession should be the goal of any service provider or their staff - If you claim to be a world class tourist destination (Ghana has been making such claims of late) - You must be able to exercise customer intelligence and be present & attentitive enough to recognize notice fidgety or anxious customers that are looking around ready to go or the laid back customers that have all the time in the world - and cleanup should be a given on any job site
I have been there and had the problems you mention especially with those that make claim to being skilled , but there is the other side you can get great workers, that cannot do enough for you and go the extra mile , turn up for work on time and do hard work 8 hrs a day 7 days a week , year in year out , their are training ,vocation schemes available and have been for decades covering dressmaking to customer service in hotels, and tourism , these problems to be fair, you had can be as bad in the west, there is good and bad everwhere, especially in the trades,
I have been watching your channel for a while now and I really find it interesting BUT I have to ask: Is putting up with all the corruption, inconvenience and lack of basic service really worth it??! I would absolutely lose my mind. Please respond because I really want to know.
Ghanaians need not label the truth as insults if it's what Ghanaians are delivering - If Ghana expects good INTERNATIONAL reviews GHANAIANS need to convey the level they want to be rated at from INTERNATIONAL reviewers
You cannot use an incompetent guy experience to judge every craftsman. The best thing is get a guy who knows and foreman and show him what you want and it will be done. You don’t go hiring each person individually.
Hi Tony, is it possible for some American to come in and create their own service company and direct the Ghanaian workers on how to perform proper service. I have noticed the same problem in the Washington D.C. area but this is unbelievable. It seems like someone would have to train them and go on-site and direct their every move.
In Akan language, we called them 3kcm anibre3, meaning that, they're working for their stomach, just to put something on the dinner table, it's like necessities is the mother of invention, they are not professionals, but sometimes it hard to get someone who is qualified for the job to do it on time, therefore, they became the journey man of some sort, but I believe that, we can do better than these, but it will take a while, we need to do our part to change / turn things around, there's hope, yes the answers to these problems is traning, someone have to open some kind of training college of some sort!
Don't know if TH-camrs get a weekly memo re: topics, but? This has been the week of "Tough Truths" for some accounts that I follow. OUCH. Thanks for the candor.
My wife went to get her hair done in Nigeria and the girl who styled her hair did such a good job she gave her a big tip .As she was leaving she noticed the Madam who owned the hair salon snatch the tip from the young hair dresser! . 1) Workers in Africa are not paid overtime , they are expected to work until the job is done. 2)Have you seen how workers especially low level workers like cashiers and waitstaff are treated by the owners of the business .I have seen an owner slap a worker in front of everyone , in Nigeria. 3) Many tradesmen like plumbers . electricians just learn how to do their jobs by on the job training , no formal trade school . 4)They lack many of the correct tools . 5) Often people who own businesses will expect their gardener and the nanny etc. to also work at the business they own for no extra pay! The workers as a result of this kind of treatment will often consciously and unconsciously sabotage and try to ruin the OGAs/ owners business!!!!!
VERY discouraging indeed and sad. I always say that if I had proper funding, I'd move to one of five countries on the African continent that I've done research on and Ghana USED to be #1 and now it's at the bottom of the list, and the Ghanaian government were the ones who heavily promoted the "Return Home" or "Welcome back Home" (whatever it was 3 or 4 years ago) promotion specifically targeting Black American citizens and chiefly USD with laughable way overpriced real estate and other questionable tactics which has kept people at bay or flat-out deciding on another African country. The CHIEF reason to leave America for us is racism, certainly NOT poor to non-existent customer service, substandard drinking water, regular power outages etc. We'd ALL stay here because of the services had, available opportunities, overall security, amenities, way of life as there's no greater place in what America has created for itself, but it's also created and shamelessly engaged in disgraceful racial bias that it's monstrously proud of and THAT'S why many of us wish to leave now or soon enough but to leave all that you have or could've had only to take huge steps backwards makes zero sense to me.
Hey 👋 Pat from Randallstown, Maryland I been missing because of illness but back looking forward to seeing more content, been a member for a long time from the beginning 💕 OH hug the boys for me.
Ghana has been independent for quite a long time. What is taking the people so long to learn how to live in the modern world? Why hold on the old cultural habits/ behavior that don't advance the country?
Would it be financially feasible for an American certified contractor to do business in Ghana? Depending on the service, that would be at a USD rate of $35 - $85 per hour.
Interesting question...answer yes and no. you may be able to make that range if its a high end project with 'international concerns' and your skills set is rare and cannot be found in Ghana.
This sounds like an opportunity for some qualified & industrious contractors who also have great customer service, to build.
It would be beneficial to start a business, hire local tradesmen, and provide them with much needed equipment.
@@marionky and training, both in the particular trade & customer service.
@@marionky Work ethic cannot be taught.
I'm glad you guys are feeling more comfortable addressing the issues Ghana has. We want to make Ghana and the African continent the best it can be and being silent on things we can change won't make that happen✊🏿❤.
How does complaining and whining every time on TH-cam fix anything? If they aren’t comfortable with the way of life in Ghana they are free to move back to the US
@@adei913 Put your comment in the comments section and I'll respond then.
@@bobjones8949 I’m responding to you, if you have nothing to say you can remain quiet
@@adei913 Ouch.
So glad you are addressing this issue. It’s in most African countries. There once upon a time was standards that were observed; but over the years, employers don’t pay these workman. They have to beg for their money, then they start developing attitudes. Those who are self employed just lie that they can do the job but the big question is to what standard? So the best way I deal with this, I will not part with my money until I am satisfied with the job, and that includes cleaning up after themselves. On the day they should be paid I go round with them pointing out areas I am not happy with and explain that they will not be getting the money until I am satisfied. If they are coming from a company I always insist on speaking to the boss and clarify why I am not paying for a half done shoddy job. I have 3 projects on the go with lots of workman to deal with . And I never allow them to leave until I am happy. It can be very challenging but I find this attitude towards cleaning is mainly if you allow it. Pull them up every time you see mess (which can be every where) you look. This is an area all of us Africans need to learn. We need to clean our places. It’s a reflection of who we are. We litter everywhere and leave mess. And when our foreign brothers and sisters gently point it out. We want to get attitude and become defensive. The truth is the truth, we need to work on our attitudes and cleanliness. Some of the rudeness comes from lack of understanding. Thank you for doing this correction. We honestly need to hear more of this as a people and be grateful that these are our own people politely correcting us. Thank you👌🏽
These issues are NOT just a Ghana thing but happen to be profuse ALSO in Ghana - I was in Gambia last month and offered to purchase the materials needed for a gig the next day - The "Professional" said no he was good he had what he needed - Since I was just overseeing the gig, I informed the actual client what the guy's plan was - Next day I found out the guy used scraps of wires spliced together and wrapped about 15 feet of scrapped wire with electrical tape for a wiring harness - I'd offered to buy a whole new spool of wire at my expense - He professionally declined so he can install the potential for malfunction and fire hazerd instead - Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
I have had the same exact experiences in Rwanda. A very good trade school would work wonders on the continent. We also need to start manufacturing our own tools on the continent. Well........we need to start manufacturing everything on the continent.
This is the mindset: " I am doing you a favour by doing this service for you. I deserve your money after this favor."
My husband has been a tradesman in the US for 40 years. We now live in Panamá. The biggest thing he has noticed is the lack of workmen having proper tools. Because wages are low, and tools are expensive, you get what they can do with what they got.
disagree. You can't put everything down to poverty. some of the tradesmen do not take the time to actually learn about their trade and do nit have any real passion for it, its just a means to making money. I've had tradesmen turn up to work without the basics of their tools that are cheap in the market. If after work they didn't go straight to the bar and buy a few tots of liquor, at the end of the week they would be able to buy their tools.
@@kehindeemiabata4032 I agree. We make too many excuses for people who simply do not take pride in their work.
There is a AA family in Gambia who has had issues with so called tradesmen who don’t have proper tools, steals, and breaks tools, steal items such as jacks and batteries, they don’t have their own jacks. They steal electronics, and take many months to repair vehicles. Be careful when having bricks made or your fences and buildings may fall apart. The roads are bad which cause issues for vehicles. Cheap tools from another continent are sold and there are no warranties. People have had security bars taken off of a home and the home was robbed. In another instance the so called “Security man moved his wife and children into the rental property and the owner of the home another AA couple was renting was ok with the other family living on the property. When subscribers send packages do not show them and the contents on your TH-cam channel, thieves broke into a family’s home and robbed them. The concrete bricks were poorly made and there was not enough rebar in them robbers knocked a very large hole into a wall outside of the compound.
Here's a short story. I visited Ghana in 2019, upon arrival I went to a restaurant down the street from my airbnb. I have never been treated worse on the continent than I was at that restaurant. Clearly, they didn't want my money so I left. I wandered into another establishment, Sun City apartments in Osu, was greeted at the door by a well dressed manager, invited in, taking up to a rooftop bar and restaurant, where my daughter and I enjoyed good food, great views and exceptional service. Customer service is not a "cultural phenomenon"...it simply good business practice. I will continue to share this experience because Sun City employees showed me what Ghana is capable of being given the right set of expectations...the other place will NEVER see my face again.
The "other place" akwaaba-ed you to Ghana 😊
Not trying to be funny but isn’t that the same the world over where you get good customer service in one establishment and not another?
I agree that some places in Ghana need to up their game but this idea that customer service abroad is always top notch really gets up my nose !!
You get the same bad service in the west especially from black people but nobody talks about that.
I personally always get the very best service so it makes me wonder what I do differently....... could it have something to do with how I approach people?
@@esson7994 could it has something to with your standard of good customer service may differ from someone else's? Additionally, people do complain about customer service in the west but this video is about customer service in Africa and not the west. We've seen plenty of videos about the lack of good customer and skilled labor in Africa....everybody a'int lying.
@@Crob100
I can assure that you that like everyone else, I expect a high standard of service but the thing with me unlike some people is that, I also believe in treating people the way I would like to be treated !!
I always approach people respectfully regardless of who or what they are and I’m very reasonable in my dealings with others
so I always get the best reception wherever I go. If I earned money from people complimenting on how I carry myself, I would be very rich indeed.
@@esson7994 no it shouldn't be "treat others how you won't to be treated". It should be treat others how they want to be treated as perceptions on good treatment and bad treatment varies from person to person. A waiter's perception on how they want to be treated may vary from mine.
Whilst the customer service can be a problem in Ghana or in many other places,
the issue can be treated in a , serious helpful and constructive manner rather than making mockery of everything you have experienced.
It is now time to inject some professionalism into the entire service and vocational industries. So this offers some great opportunities for investing into service training and customer service
I was seriously considering Ghana as my retirement destination two years from now. I've started looking at Namibia.
come to Ghana
I’m in Ghana. Go to Namibia
I visited Namibia in 2019...loved it!!!
Same here. Me too. Headed to Namibia.
Let's us know. Seriously make a YT channel I will subscribe but what this YT channel is discussing , is probably most of Africa. Yes, I hate to paint with a broad brush but their experience mimic mines and the fact these issues are all over to less or more of the same.
I'm not sure they want the "training". We get accused of wanting to "change things" 🤔🤔🤔
Hi guys. So many people moving to Ghana are frustrated with their customer service. They even have many videos up asking how can they help.
Bigg facts
May be y'all should start a staffing agency to fill the void in the customer service sector. Btw, this is not just a Ghana problem; it's continental issue.
It's a world issue. You can find terrible workers all over the world.
I sincerely believe the *Most Important* thing Ghana could do to improve tourism, Ex-Pat retention and just the overall quality of life for EVERY Ghanaian is to be Hyper Focused on making *GOOD/QUALITY CUSTOMER SERVICE* a reality!
*Social Services* - roads, schools, overall infrastructure, etc...
*Hospitality Services* - restaurants, hotels, house keepers, etc...
*Professional Services* - plumbers, electricians, carpenters, etc...
I honestly don't know what it is, but a many who seem to lack the desire to provide Quality/Good Customer Service! SAD!
I think the problem is that they only get paid once a month after work the whole month without money is the problem could you imagine that as a American….but I got a plan to change that pay system…love you guys and keep up the good work… and May God Bless Africa again
I believe Ghana can overcome these problems. It will take time to make the cultural changes.
I have a suggestion have considered creating an Expat telephone book (digital) that only list contractors from the African diaspora who have proper tools and are professional. The other issue is having access to a supply chain to order the appropriate tools. They can also utilize You Tube tutorials for just about anything.
Tony with a deadpan face " I've left places cleaner than I found them." Had meet crying...lol
People do take customer service courses in other countries. Also it goes back to the phrase “treat people how you want to be treated”. Unfortunately some people grew up being treated different, so they are accustom to “bad treatment”.
who treated them badly?
Good points as always, I’m willing to teach courses on customer service amongst other things but the counsel and education committee has to agree to it. Us not the Asians have to do it.
Another excellent vlog as always. Customer service is indeed almost non-existent in Gh. It is for that reason that organizations that are serious about customer service hire the services of consultants to train their employees. The problem with that, though, is that customer service is viewed as the responsibility of a receptionist or a secretary rather than what should permeate the fiber of the whole organization. As a result, middle and top management hardly avail themselves of the training, let alone incorporating it in corporate governance. Unfortunately, as bad as it is in Ghana, similar or worse tendencies are developing in some parts of the US too.
All the same, some of the things you mentioned are cultural, rather than bad customer service or a lack of training. For example, what you said about checks/ bills: If you did what you said was standard practice to a Ghanaian customer, that would be horrible customer service to them; it would be interpreted as “So you are on a hurry to get rid of me?!! Here’s your money and I’m never coming back!” Also the way Ghanaians eat and drink is such that they may pause and the resume after 30 minutes or 1 hour . Need o say leaving the restaurant quickly in Ghana is often misinterpreted as you’re broke! 😂
With the technicians, it’s worthy of not that as a developing country, many learn these trades on their own or as apprentices of trainers who learned it from another trainer who was an apprentice. That is not to say there are no vocational training schools. But all such trades have been disregarded as for school dropouts or/and illiterates. As a result, even the technical and polytechnic (tertiary) institutions are today almost nonexistent, as they have been turned into high schools and technical universities, so-called. So, while they qualified, professional artisans are available, their number is few; what is more, they are more expensive.
I can go on and on but would leave you for now. ❤❤❤
Thanks so much for this comment. You articulated most of the thoughts I was having better than I could have. Really spot on. Indeed, there actually are technicians who have been trained to “western standards” and deliver at a very high level of quality. Those who properly trained at vocational schools and went on to get accreditation for their work. They happen to be in the minority and we just don’t have an easy way of identifying them. Also, they are more expensive to hire and most people aren’t willing to pay premium for technical services like they would in western countries. Relying on word of mouth references is hit or miss because their past experience may have required a very different type of work from the technician and also your standards may be different from theirs. We recently had to install a new meter at a home we moved into and were told by ECG to get some stuff checked by an ECG approved electrician. There was a whole list with contact info online of electricians who had been specifically approved by ECG. I never knew that before. The guy we ended up calling was super good and professional - timely, knew his stuff, had all the tools, communicated clearly, cleaned up after himself, etc. I was so surprised to know such service was available in Accra.
None of this is to discredit the main idea that Ghana can’t compete when it comes to customer services. I 100% agree with that. In fact my husband and I just arrived in Nairobi this morning and were discussing the STARK difference in the quality of customer service. Just adding more nuance to the discussion that in as much as it’s widespread, understanding a bit more of the context helps us to understand where we need to focus on improving.
Your "show" is very underrated. Each video is jam-packed with useful information. Ghanaian gov't needs to retain your services.
I agree
I agree with @Andrew. Create Ayo's list, like Angie's list, so you'll have a database of reputable, prepared and reliable tradesmen, and customer service workers.
This is a business opportunity. Good customer service is a human social standard than a problem with developing nations. S. Africa & Rwanda are doing better. We must make it a habit to teach this in school and reinforce it on media, and reward the best bizs offering great services.
Tony and your beautiful wife, I have been laughing so hard my ribs are hurting. I have personally experienced same and it has been so frustrating. Agree that this is an opportunity for someone establishing such a customer service training program.
Bad customer service seems to be a problem for black customers stores and vendors bind over backwards for Europeans and Asians
They probably need to have some sort of scheme where they try to attract people from other countries Kenya South Africa et cetera where there’s more of a service industry to come and train people. I reckon a lot of the time maybe Ghanaians are just trained to do what they’re told rather than thinking critically
I agree. Does not seem as if much critical or logical thinking occurs for task-oriented jobs. Instead of customer service training there needs to be Critical Thinking courses. 😆
Need a skills trade school in Ghana to professionalize the trades.
I have several rental properties in the US. Its not just contractors in developing countries. You have to watch all contractors, learn how to do it yourself so that you can correct it later if necessary. I’ve had to rewire houses, replace pipes in crawlspace at some point when a trusted professional is not available, do it yourself.
This would be a great opportunity for someone to start a company where they vet trained service providers, and train customer service reps, then open a website where you can go hire these plumbers, carpenters, waiters etc. Something like an employment agency, where people looking for work and people looking for employees or a service provider can apply.
but nobody will pay extra for that.
@@jimboy419 maybe Ghanaians won't, but the diasporans will because, in the end it will be cheaper.
@@kiki81828 OK Right. It's frustrating I know.
Customer service in Ghana is terrible and I think business owners don’t train their employees. If someone opens a customer service training school and looks for placement in businesses for the students, they will make a profitable business.
Appreciate your honesty and transparency!
Look guys, just make suggestions along the way. Where I am from, some of these things use to happen but they've improved a whole lot in a short time.
If they see you do it, or you ask, they will understand to change their mindset.
Someone of your comments were unfair. If someone unaccustomed to taking pictures does not understand when you ask them to take a a picture , it is unfair to knock them for that. She probably does not take selfies, so she did not understand what you meant
Sadly everything said is the Gods truth. I find myself being so frustrated by all these things. I'm just starting my build. so scared. 🤣
I laughed my socks off, thanks for the informative videos. I love your channel!! Hopefully Ghana will become more service oriented sooner than later.
14:59 this was a communication problem, not service.
Thanks for sharing your story. This is actually the same story in many countries in Latin America also. It is so important for folks to be aware that living abroad is not the end to their frustrations from their home country. Adapting to life abroad is a science and so happy you guys are patiently going through the process.
I congratulate you on the move. I couldn't do it. I'm use to the easy life here in the US but I would love to visit but never leaving America. We got our problems and you've got yours.
Then stay in America if life is that easy there. Don't even visit us . We don't need you here.
Asians, Chinese, Indians, Europeans Arabs etc etc... are coming massively to Africa because of huge opportunities. They are setting up businesses to change things, just like afreecans of the diaspora.
On the other side lazy people with a mindset of laziness are just looking for places were everything is already done . We are building our beloved continent . We DO NOT want/need such people here. Full Stop!
I agree.
Also, it is more likely than not that the Mechanic and employees will use your vehicles for personal use and will take your batteries, jacks and many items come up missing. Families have had bricks and fences made which collapsed.
Tony, that’s an opportunity to start solving those problems, yourself.
I think it’s a case of you don’t know, what you don’t know. They don’t have anything to model their hospitality after, or examples. It’s literally on the fly & “learn as you go” Especially when people have foreign standards, I can see how it can be frustrating seeing situations like this. It’s also a mentality & common sense thing I hate to say……..
They DO KNOW - They watch movies and see it... Folks just choose to emulate the wrong things... People have traveled they have experienced it... Folks just choose to use their money to buy a wig or a V8 instead of paying for a course for the employees at the shop they own
But there are American companies like Marriott, Hilton, Starbucks, Apple' etc....that have good models of customer service that should be studied and duplicated across Ghana.
@@a2theb46 TRUish - There are also a handful of Ghanaian & African owned companies that can be exemplified - I despise when folks use the ignorance excuse or deflection - Like all these folks on tiktok or figuring out how to acquire fake lashes can also take the time to watch videos to improve the quality of service
I used to think I had mental or ocd issues bcs I always NOTICE stuff in Gh. I swear ppl here thought I was difficult. But I'm glad the grief is also noticed by others. And the "others" is always other foreigners. Which concluded my case study. I decided to just build In the woods vs the city. I will have less grief n stress n frustration awaaaaay from ppl. I love Gh for it's awesome environment, but socialization out here and needing services done at the house......leads me to grief n frustration.
Hmmm I am from Ghana, and I feel for you. In the past when I run into a situation like that I just buy the tool. And as a matter of fact one guy wanted to keep the tool I bought. I had choice words for him and promptly pointed out that if he took it and another guy came to do work for me and didn’t have the tool I just bought I would have to buy it again. Even after giving this explanation he seemed to think I was being mean by not giving him the tool. Go figure.
🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🤯
You are spot on! We have been traveling to Ghana since 1998, NOTHING HAS CHANGED!!! All they say is that this is GHANA...
@@iwalkupright HAHA!!😂🤣😂🤣. You got that right. That's exactly what they say. Geez...
So sad. Instead, They need to say, "Ghana can be better!"
They can't compete because they can't be told.
My husvand and I were going to a wedding in a place we hadn't been before. We took a taxi which sounds pretty normal. Unfortunately they won't necessarily know how to get there but they won't listen to you to take direction, they would rather argue with you!
Thank You!
I’m 66 Years Tender Age Senior And My Beloved Father Is From Ghana-Africa And Came To AMERICA For A Better Life.
He Passed Away Many Years Ago.
Peace ✌️
the hole you are talking about sometimes happens in UK here in construction site. I work at construction site here in UK
You should join “The Daughters Of The Middle Passage”, a group of diasporan (Afro American) women meeting in Accra.
I believe that training and supervision is key in Ghana and probably all over Africa !However, here in the US we’ve had a couple of excellent workers come to our house who didn’t clean up their work areas properly. Clean up of the work area is a basic fundamental that is taught to young trainees. Many workers have to be supervised while doing their job. I’ve observed in Mexico that construction workers are supervised continuously to insure quality work on certain job sites.
I believe the causes for the issues you’ve described are many, including the need for apprenticeships. The government needs to support an initiative to improve the customer service situation and the need for construction training in general. I’ve observed on TH-cam too many Ghanaian construction do-overs, because of messups by so called contractors. I believe the roads situation needs to be addressed immediately, in a bold way by the Ghanaian government. Ghana should set high goals to be the best! Ghana can do it.
Thanks a lot for the information, Ghana let's get to work and start training our people, we can do it. A thousand mile journey starts with a step.😇
Opportunity folks, there's a need.
Artisans in Ghana ankasa de3, working with most of them is quite horrible at times even for locals. I'm a Ghanaian living Accra and in one instance, some carpenters installed a wardrobe in my house and they used two days to do that and later complained that I didn't even offer them food. Another set came to install stones in the house and after they were done eating the food I had offered, they idled around for about an hour and left around 3:30pm and told me they will continue the next day. Ghanafo) we can do better na customer service wei de3 3ny3 koraa
I heard that the Togolese are good tradesmen
There are Repats in Gambia who can’t find reliable builders and mechanics often.
Tony and Ayo you are right in observing that there aren't enough well trained tradesmen in Ghana that can be relied on to do simple or complex tasks. But there is a way around this conundrum. You may want to create a roster of good tradesmen and yes there some in the system that you can rely on. You get the good ones through a referral system, from friends and acquaintances. And when you hire the good ones you pay them well, so that next time you need their services they will gladly show up.
I believe they've done that but here in Ghana the tradesmen may do things correctly on the 1st few visits but do something totally different when they return to do additional work...for example, I had a plumber that I have used may times in the past come out to run a water line. He bought a family member on this occasion to dig a trench for the piping. When I stepped outside to see how the work was going I found the family member (a grown man) playing with a container of toys I had for my children...can you picture me seeing him with a child's sunglasses on while playing with hot wheels cars and blowing bubbles? Unbelievable right...come to Ghana and see for yourself..lol.
😟
Let us not dwell on the negative. People can be trained to do the right thing. The current government is working hard to address the shortcomings by retooling technical, vocational and educational training (TVET) schools. TVETS have been added to the free SHS program. In the medium term, the skills gaps should improve.
@@ronaldchatman9144Unbelievable indeed! I can appreciate your frustration. But I needed a good laugh today. That's too crazy! 🤣🤣🤣
There used to be State Construction company with very skilled workforce who built most of the government building you see in Ghana. Rawlings closed such a vital State entity, and the result is what we see now. The same was the PWD
It's just not Ghana. It's most of West and West.Central Africa.
When I was in Guinea Equatorial, a lady was working on CS skills ( now that I think about it, she was from Ghana ), and she would tell horror stories of just how bad the local mobile provider was about customer serivce.
I know some one is going to bash me, but unless the busines is a EU/US base business customer service is just none existenace based on my experience with dealing in Africa
& in the tourism, hotel, airport, banking sectors.
YOU ARE EITHER PART OF THE SOLUTIONS OR THE PROBLEMS 🧐💯
@@kofirey6752 - Let us help you with solutions then and thanks for the comment 😊!
These are factual observations. Thanks for highlighting them.
Ghana is still developing and as we build stronger and smarter institutions and regulators, these issues will be solved. To start with, most of these professions are unregulated or poorly regulated hence anyone at all can enter, whether trained or untrained. This results in non-uniformity in the level of services offered.
Unfortunately, the socio-political system at play does not seem to favour problem solving.
We see, hear and smell our problems but no one knows who is to solve them and why they are not solved.
We are hopeful though, it can only get better....with time!
Not wanting to cause a civil war between Nigerian Pan African and my fellow Pan Africans in Ghana my friend for the UK a few years ago came to stay with me in Nigeria for about 3 months and took a visit to Ghana.
Obviously I mentioned that in Ghana he would be having light more frequently than in Nigeria and it will be more organised than Nigeria.
However when he came back to Nigeria his main observation was that after spending months in Lagos, Abuja and Kano he found Ghana too laid back for him.
He said he felt we hustled more in Nigeria and as such things got done a lot quicker (not necessarily better) and that in Nigeria everyone was looking for ways to make a living and would be prepared to work long hours for it to happen.
It’s customary in many other countries not to bring the check until you request it. They consider it rude, and like they’re rushing you, if they bring it before it’s requested.
Truish - But you can check within 5-10 mins of clearing a table if they need ANYTHING - But disappearing is unacceptable... The fact that every1 is different and from different places is also service intelligence that businesses & staff need to apply, every situ is different
correct! here in Austria you call for billing, don't expect waitress/ waiter to approach the customer for billing.
@@dapdap5137 every1 is different - If you claim to be a world class tourist destination (Ghana has been making such claims of late) - You must be able to exercise customer intelligence and be present & attentitive enough to recognize notice fidget or anxious customers that are looking around ready to go or the laid back customers that have all the time in the world
Very well said. The country need to set their standards higher. They need a complete overall. If they knew better they would do better. They need to realize what they are doing wrong and be willing to improve.
This is what we have being complaining about all the time. The education system do not equip the youth with relevant skills to tackle such issues appropriately but they still want to find ways around to survive in the system
@Ayo, that is exactly the problem right there. Many of these people did not go to any school to learn how to become electricians or whatever else. They just served as apprentices and then when they believe they've learned enough, they "graduate" to start their own thing. This applies to carpenters, plumbers, electricians, mechanics etc etc. Fortunately, there has been some improvement in the clothesmaking industry so now we see a number of "professional" tailors and seamstresses.
You're judging the people of Ghana, and their strange, African, non-Western ways, through the lens of an American (or at least a Westerner). This is a very condescending and dare I say a neo-colonial way of seeing people and cultures that are different than your own! Good service is a product of Western capitalism.
@@AltRockLover
Nope, You are wrong. Ghanaians themselves complain about these poor services so this has nothing to do with the Diaspora. The difference is that Ghanaians would typically complain but take whatever it is in their stride and move on. The Diaspora, on the other hand, 2ould demand and insist that the right thing is done. That's the difference. How can you even say something like that? Customer service is a cultural thing? Who doesn't like or want excellent customer service?
@@ypk7858 excellent point.
The factors are many but I will deal with a few here:
First, there are really no "standards " or what you would refer to as "building codes".
Second, the entire "vocational industry" or technical services industry had been left for school drop-outs. For years, it had been accepted as normal for those who drop out of school or in some cases, don't even go to school at all to go into the vocational industry.
Hello I love your expat ghana , I'm getting ready to move to ghana .I've been all over the continent . What do you think would be the success of a small home equipment supply hardware store in Accra . And how could I advertise my present but I will be working with limited funds but I think that that will be a proven need business v. What do you think. Also I'm a 51 yr. Old African American as well .
I appreciate the honesty. You don't get this from some other channels
My organization is assisting a group of African American investors in their research, and business investment strategy, for Ghana. In the interest of being respectful and avoiding a reinvention of Ghana’s job training wheel, we reached out to the country’s investment promotion center a month ago. At some point, we hope to learn about existing efforts and initiatives to develop/upskill the workforce to meet Ghana's broad range of industry needs. What y’all pointed out confirms that there is definitely a job training gap that needs to be filled. It’s frustrating, but it’s also a huge opportunity.
This stuff is nuts. But the other extreme is America where we are so spoiled that nobody wants to work in customer service and deal with rotten, spoiled customers who are absolutely determined to believe that the customer is always right. I saw people do unbelievable things. Returning things to the store after they had used them is one that makes me shake my head. I was in Dunkin Donuts one day and a woman walked in with an EMPTY bottle of milk and said, after I finished this, I noticed that the expiration date on it was past due. The employee apologized, gave her ANOTHER bottle. But that milk was good, even if the date was past. She didn't even have a receipt to prove she bought it there. But, American "customer service" is sometimes ridiculous like that. That lady should have been thrown out, but then everybody in America would have said how customer service was so bad and nobody should go to Dunkin Donuts again.
Thanks for the laugh, you two have a good attitude about all of this. One of the main reasons people try to avoid calling professional service folks in the U.S. is the professional-service folks' cost. They charge so much... they better do a good job. But sometimes even they don't, despite the hefty invoice they give you. But because of their rates and training there's a lot of dignity attached to their work. Ghana just needs a little bit of that. Do they charge service fees, just to come to the house and check? If not, maybe that's why they quote high and unnecessary job rates? Hang it there.
I recently spent a week in Qatar to watch a couple of matches. I called some cleaners to do some work while i was out. Came back to a really shoddy job from cleaners that my airbnb host personally recommended. And to think all the world is there right now to all the glitz, yet something like that happens.
Hey Mr. Tony & Mrs . Ayo
This is your Savannah , Georgia sister presently residing in cold New York . Tony , you look even better since my sister came back home with the boys .
CHALE - OUT - Sister Acouvi
Bto . Tony & Sister Ayo , the both of you ate looking very good with all of that coordinating and paying attention to detail. Anticipating hanging out with you all at the next meet& Greet that will be held during the last part of May or mid - June . Had a great time when held atvthe Gazebo View June of 2022 & expect to have a terrific time in 2023. Chale-Out Sister Aciuvi .
I love Ghana , Togo and Africa as a whole but Yes Customer service and Employe training is an issue in Ghana and most of Africa . I believe what is needed in a national training program and certification system . Many people are only one generation removed from a village , and there is nothing wrong with that ( I belive Village life is probably healthier ) but there is a huge difference between how a village and growing city like Accra works and as many people as possible need to understand that fact. The original plans of Accra that the British built on were only for a population of 250k , today its over 2.6 million with very lil infrastructure upgrades . I think Ghana needs to get very strict on drivers and make sure they all get training and get un-safe vehicles and drivers off the roads to start with and use a similar approach to improve other sectors critical to safety , well-being , and future economic growth . Africa and its people have opportunities and potential like no other place on the planet today , I hope we make the most of it. The longer the delay they faster Africa will drift backward from other areas of the world . Let Make Things Better any and everyway we can !💪🏾
Yep you guys said it all and we have been trying to tell them for years and is a lot of phd book readers with certifications with no technical know how. And yet the country Ghana wonder why they are still where they are.
Every1 is different - But an efficient clean job/service no matter the profession should be the goal of any service provider or their staff - If you claim to be a world class tourist destination (Ghana has been making such claims of late) - You must be able to exercise customer intelligence and be present & attentitive enough to recognize notice fidgety or anxious customers that are looking around ready to go or the laid back customers that have all the time in the world - and cleanup should be a given on any job site
I have been there and had the problems you mention especially with those that make claim to being skilled , but there is the other side you can get great workers, that cannot do enough for you and go the extra mile , turn up for work on time and do hard work 8 hrs a day 7 days a week , year in year out , their are training ,vocation schemes available and have been for decades covering dressmaking to customer service in hotels, and tourism , these problems to be fair, you had can be as bad in the west, there is good and bad everwhere, especially in the trades,
Hi Dynamic Duo,
This was a great topic and the key word is "Elevate" your work ethic and standards.
I have been watching your channel for a while now and I really find it interesting BUT I have to ask: Is putting up with all the corruption, inconvenience and lack of basic service really worth it??! I would absolutely lose my mind. Please respond because I really want to know.
I am a Customer Service Professional. I find this interesting.
Ghanaians need not label the truth as insults if it's what Ghanaians are delivering - If Ghana expects good INTERNATIONAL reviews GHANAIANS need to convey the level they want to be rated at from INTERNATIONAL reviewers
please visit kenya..we will love to host you...thanks for sharing🥰🥰🥰
@@johnmaina5076 -We heard about a woman bringing Kenyans in for the service industry here and thanks for the comment 😊!
You cannot use an incompetent guy experience to judge every craftsman. The best thing is get a guy who knows and foreman and show him what you want and it will be done. You don’t go hiring each person individually.
Hi Tony, is it possible for some American to come in and create their own service company and direct the Ghanaian workers on how to perform proper service. I have noticed the same problem in the Washington D.C. area but this is unbelievable. It seems like someone would have to train them and go on-site and direct their every move.
In Akan language, we called them 3kcm anibre3, meaning that, they're working for their stomach, just to put something on the dinner table, it's like necessities is the mother of invention, they are not professionals, but sometimes it hard to get someone who is qualified for the job to do it on time, therefore, they became the journey man of some sort, but I believe that, we can do better than these, but it will take a while, we need to do our part to change / turn things around, there's hope, yes the answers to these problems is traning, someone have to open some kind of training college of some sort!
Don't know if TH-camrs get a weekly memo re: topics, but? This has been the week of "Tough Truths" for some accounts that I follow. OUCH. Thanks for the candor.
My wife went to get her hair done in Nigeria and the girl who styled her hair did such a good job she gave her a big tip .As she was leaving she noticed the Madam who owned the hair salon snatch the tip from the young hair dresser! . 1) Workers in Africa are not paid overtime , they are expected to work until the job is done. 2)Have you seen how workers especially low level workers like cashiers and waitstaff are treated by the owners of the business .I have seen an owner slap a worker in front of everyone , in Nigeria. 3) Many tradesmen like plumbers . electricians just learn how to do their jobs by on the job training , no formal trade school . 4)They lack many of the correct tools . 5) Often people who own businesses will expect their gardener and the nanny etc. to also work at the business they own for no extra pay! The workers as a result of this kind of treatment will often consciously and unconsciously sabotage and try to ruin the OGAs/ owners business!!!!!
Wow!
Good to know
Nigeria makes Ghana look like a perfect place
@@nobs997 damn
I give you guys a lot credit for staying with.
VERY discouraging indeed and sad.
I always say that if I had proper funding, I'd move to one of five countries on the African continent that I've done research on and Ghana USED to be #1 and now it's at the bottom of the list, and the Ghanaian government were the ones who heavily promoted the "Return Home" or "Welcome back Home" (whatever it was 3 or 4 years ago) promotion specifically targeting Black American citizens and chiefly USD with laughable way overpriced real estate and other questionable tactics which has kept people at bay or flat-out deciding on another African country.
The CHIEF reason to leave America for us is racism, certainly NOT poor to non-existent customer service, substandard drinking water, regular power outages etc. We'd ALL stay here because of the services had, available opportunities, overall security, amenities, way of life as there's no greater place in what America has created for itself, but it's also created and shamelessly engaged in disgraceful racial bias that it's monstrously proud of and THAT'S why many of us wish to leave now or soon enough but to leave all that you have or could've had only to take huge steps backwards makes zero sense to me.
Hey 👋 Pat from Randallstown, Maryland I been missing because of illness but back looking forward to seeing more content, been a member for a long time from the beginning 💕 OH hug the boys for me.
Hi Ms. Pat, I live just down the street from you in Pikesville! Nice to meet you.
It sounds like there are areas for opportunity .
Ayo and Tony! GREAT and INFORMATIVE video! Yeah! P.S. You both look WORN OUT! LOL!
A very interesting video.
Wow Tony and Ayo this hurt my feelings and it didn't even happen to me
Ghana has been independent for quite a long time. What is taking the people so long to learn how to live in the modern world? Why hold on the old cultural habits/ behavior that don't advance the country?
EXACTLY! That's what I took away from watch the video..
@@gloriaf6971 - EXACTLY and thanks for the comment 😊!
There's a saying that common sense isn't really that common 🤷🏿♀️ Hang in there!
Consider supervising your help. I have to do that here in the US.
The electrician doesn't have hot water in his house.
Would it be financially feasible for an American certified contractor to do business in Ghana? Depending on the service, that would be at a USD rate of $35 - $85 per hour.
Interesting question...answer yes and no. you may be able to make that range if its a high end project with 'international concerns' and your skills set is rare and cannot be found in Ghana.
Need hardware stores.