Look beyond office jobs, turn to agric –Shatta Wale to youth
DANCEHALL star Shatta Wale is urging Ghanaian youth to rethink their career paths, stressing that success is not limited to office jobs but can be found in other thriving sectors such as agriculture.
He believes the country is full of untapped opportunities that can provide sustainable income, especially for young people willing to explore beyond the traditional white-collar route.
“Agribusiness, in particular, holds huge potential for job creation and financial independence”, he told the Graphic Showbiz on the sidelines at the launch of the Youth in Palm Plantation Initiative held at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel on Friday, March 20, 2026
The Youth in Palm Plantation is an initiative by the PHILBRO Group, in partnership with the Tree Crops Development Authority, the National Youth Authority, ONESTA Limited and the Kade Traditional Council to encourage the youth to venture into Agribusiness to promote economic growth and to conserve the environment.
“I invest part of the moneyI earn from shows into agriculture and within three to six months, when conditions are right, I start seeing returns. That made me realise that there are sectors we’ve ignored for far too long and it’s time we start empowering ourselves in those areas”, he disclosed.
Encouraging the youth to take advantage of such opportunities, Shatta Wale said not everyone would follow the academic path to the end, but that should not limit their chances of success. (Read Tems becomes most streamed African artist globally with over 40 million monthly Spotify listeners)
“I understand that many young people today want to complete their education and secure comfortable jobs in good environments. Others dream of owning businesses such as shops or boutiques.
“While these are all valid ambitions, there is a much bigger picture to consider. With patience, dedication and a willingness to work hard, the agricultural sector presents a very good opportunity.
“It doesn’t not only offer a means to earn a living, but also a way for us to feed ourselves, become self-reliant and provide meaningful support to our families and communities.”
He also underscored the importance of discipline and focus, describing them as key ingredients for success in any field.
“People often say I’m always in trouble, but one thing they don’t know is that discipline and focus have kept me going all these years. There is money to be made in Ghana if you stay committed to what you do,” he stated.
Beyond personal effort, the On God hitmaker highlighted the value of mentorship and strategic partnerships, saying aligning with the right people can help young entrepreneurs grow their ventures.
“When you connect with the right people who guide and protect your business, it becomes easier to grow. That’s why this initiative is important, it’s about empowering the youth in agribusiness and plantations,” he explained.
Shatta Wale further called on young people to shift their attention from distractions on social media to more productive ventures that can secure their future.
“Sometimes we spend too much time on TikTok and other social media platforms, but this is the time to build something meaningful for ourselves. Agribusiness is the season now,” he stressed.
He expressed appreciation to traditional authorities for releasing between 20,000 and 30,000 acres of land to support the Youth In Palm Plantation initiative, describing it as a major boost for the project.
