Life in Accra is hell.

People travel from all over the country to come live and hustle in Accra. Some are able to make it whiles others just get worse. This is simply because Accra is not an easy city to live in. Even for those who have lived here for long, it’s always a problem running at the pace of this fast paced cosmopolitan city.

For you to survive in this city, it takes a lot and we outline 10 of them below. These will work for you if you’ve been living here and still struggling to make a living and also if you’re planning to come live here.

Lets go.

1. Be Smart

To survive in Accra, you need to be smart. From the trotro mate to your landlord to the food seller and your business partners, everybody wants to make that extra money at your expense. If you need to buy something, open your eyes. Buy from reliable shops and stores. If you need to enter any business, don’t let anyone sweet talk you, analyse the feasibility of the business before you venture into it.

2. Hustle, Hustle and Hustle

There’s nothing else to do than hustle in Accra. Never get tired of the things you do to make ends meet. The very day you give up will be the day you drop further down the poverty line. If you need to work 10 jobs, do it. Do anything that makes you have that extra money.

3. Always Watch Your Back

This is a city, everybody is here to seek greener pastures, no one is here to be your watchman or security. You are your own security. Every move you make, watch your back. Watch the people you work and do business with, watch your co-tenants, watch your neighbours. Do everything possible that makes you stay on top and not get caught unawares. Be your own watchman.

4. Start Your Day Early

You can’t be a lazy person and survive in Accra. Everything in this cosmopolitan city is fast paced. People wake up early to go hustle therefore if you decide to wake up late to start your day, you’ll be left behind. Traffic situation is worse in this city therefore if you need to meet a deadline, you have to start early. Whether you are working in the formal sector or informal sector, you’ve got to start your day early. No one waits for anyone here in Accra, survival of the fittest, that’s what it is.

5. Stay Focused on Your Dreams

We all have dreams. We want to do something particular or be in certain professions. No matter your dream, stick with it. It’s very easy to get distracted by all the different things that happen in this city. There is legitimate stuff being done and illegal stuff also being done. Some are making quick money whiles others are slowly climbing the ladder. Don’t get distracted by all the things you see around, stay focused and work towards achieving your dreams.

6. Don’t Let Pubs/Nite Clubs Be Your Home

The best way to lose money is to be a “tenant” in the pub or club……lol…… Pubs are a sure way of taking all that you worked for. We all know things are expensive there but we go there all the time. You need to chill and turn up but you need to apply your brain as well. You can’t work and then use all your money to have fun at the club or pub. Doing this will always end up with you having nothing and struggling to make ends meet. There are people who were born with silver spoons in their mouth and can afford but when you’re building a life, minimise your patronage at these places. Forget the bright lights, music and of course the girls and guys you’ll meet there and focus on your dream.

7. Be Wary Of Those You Call Friends

Like mentioned earlier, everybody here is looking to make that extra money at the expense of others. Those you call friends might stab you in the back and steal an opportunity or mess up an opportunity for you. Be careful when discussing business with those around you that you call friends. That is not to say that you shouldn’t make friends or have friends but you need to keep certain things to yourself until they materialize if you want to survive in Accra. Be alert and observant at all times with the people around you.

8. Stay Away From Politics

In Ghana, politics is a passionate business, people might even stop talking to you if you have a different political affiliation. As a business man or a person aspiring for greater heights, let your political affiliation be in your head. This is Accra, you have people supporting almost every single political party here and you don’t want to miss an opportunity because of political color. Be wise, play neutral and survive.

9. Grab Every Opportunity That Comes Your Way

Grabbing every opportunity doesn’t mean even those which are illegal. Whenever an opportunity beckons and it’s legal and legitimate, grab it with both hands cos you might not get it again. There are times you get presented with a very rare opportunity, think about it, look at the pros and cons and grab it. Survival of the fittest so no time to do a tortoise walk.

10. Never Lose Hope, Surge Forward

You might come to Accra and lose hope after some few days because your expectations might have been dashed. You might also be a resident here who has been disappointed several times but don’t lose hope. Things are never easy here and will never be. The difference between you and the very successful people here is that they never gave up. Failure is not the fact that you fall but staying down after a fall. Get back up on your feet, lace that boot, strap up and get back to business.