Transformational Leadership Concepts (TLC) has called on Ghanaians to shift their understanding of productivity from simply being busy to creating meaningful impact, as it hosted the 20th edition of its Timekeeping Dialogue Series under the theme, “Busy, Stressed and Still Behind: Rethinking Productivity for the Ghanaian.”
The virtual dialogue brought together corporate leaders, human resource professionals and technology experts to examine the systemic and personal factors limiting productivity in Ghana, despite increasingly long working hours.
Opening the session, Chairman and Co-convenor of Transformational Leadership Concepts, Togbe Kwasinyi Kakaklolo Agyeman V, said improving productivity requires a deliberate national conversation on time consciousness and behavioural change.
He noted that while time remains one of the country’s most valuable resources, poor time management continues to undermine individual performance and national development.
“We have been working to change the narrative around ‘Ghana Man Time’. Through these dialogue sessions, we are gathering ideas and practical solutions that will eventually feed into a national conference aimed at changing attitudes towards time and productivity,” he said.
Host and Co-convenor of the dialogue series, Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, said the conversation was inspired by the everyday reality of many Ghanaians who spend long hours commuting, juggling multiple responsibilities and working under constant pressure, yet still struggle to accomplish their goals.
She observed that for many professionals, productivity is no longer just a personal challenge but also a workplace and national concern requiring new ways of thinking.
Human Resource Consultant, Naa Ameley Asiedu challenged the common assumption that traffic alone accounts for low productivity.
According to her, many professionals begin each day reacting to emails, WhatsApp messages, impromptu meetings and urgent requests instead of focusing on their highest-impact responsibilities.
“Many employees work intensely throughout the day but spend most of their time putting out other people’s fires. They end the day exhausted by activity rather than fulfilled by impact,” she explained.
She further noted that lengthy commuting times, sleep deprivation and inadequate urban planning place an additional burden on employees before they even arrive at work, significantly affecting their energy, focus and overall performance.
Managing Director of aYo Ghana, Francis Gota, described productivity as both an individual and national responsibility.
He encouraged Ghanaians to build resilience by planning ahead and making use of technology-enabled solutions that simplify everyday life and reduce uncertainty.
He also highlighted the importance of financial resilience, noting that access to affordable insurance enables individuals and families to better withstand life’s unexpected challenges without disrupting their long-term goals.
General Manager of Technology at Multimedia Group Limited, Dr. Richardson Doe, underscored the role of technology in improving organisational efficiency.
Drawing on over two decades of experience leading technology operations, he said digital innovation and well-designed systems are essential for helping organisations become more agile, efficient and productive in an increasingly competitive environment.
Participants agreed that genuine productivity should be measured by value created rather than hours spent working.
The dialogue concluded with a call on individuals, organisations and policymakers to redesign workplaces, improve systems and cultivate habits that enable people to work smarter, manage their time intentionally and achieve sustainable results.
The Timekeeping Dialogue Series is an initiative of Transformational Leadership Concepts aimed at promoting time consciousness, leadership excellence and a culture of productivity to support Ghana’s national development.
