When Alfred Opare Saforo’s friend lost his job recently, he couldn’t bear to tell his wife. Each morning, he still dressed up, carried his bag, and left the house as if heading to work. But instead of an office, he quietly found refuge at Zuludesk, a coworking space near Accra Mall.
“It broke my heart when he told me,” Alfred recalled. “Losing a job is hard enough, but the silence and shame that follow make it even harder.”
That experience reshaped Alfred’s vision for Zuludesk. What began as a coworking space for startups and freelancers has grown into something more: a lifeline for job seekers. Through ZuludeskCareers.com, unemployed Ghanaians can access opportunities, rebuild confidence, and even sit at a desk with free WiFi and coffee — no questions asked.
Alfred explains that Zuludesk fills two urgent gaps: affordable coworking for entrepreneurs and a safe space for those out of work.
For startups and freelancers, Zuludesk offers cost-effective workspace, infrastructure, and a sense of community. For job seekers, it provides dignity, support, and access to job listings through ZuludeskCareers.com.
“We’ve seen job seekers walk in discouraged and leave hopeful,” Alfred said. “The mix of entrepreneurs and unemployed people creates opportunities for both sides. Startups discover talent, and job seekers gain exposure.”
For George & Yvonne, the space has been life-changing
“I was a Digital Marketer in my previous job,” George said, reflecting on his journey. “Losing that job affected me greatly. I lost my confidence. I’m not able to afford three meals a day. I can’t even meet up with friends because they don’t know I’m unemployed.”
George explained that the shame of unemployment weighs heavily, especially for men in Ghanaian society.
“The perception about you changes — we are loved by what we can provide. When you can’t even buy airtime, data, or pay simple bills, your movement is restricted. Many of us pretend we are going to work just to avoid questions.”
It was Alfred’s post about Zuludesk that drew George in. “The message resonated well with me, so I tried it out. Zuludesk has given me confidence in a space where there’s no judgment. Here, I can freely say I lost my job,” he said.
Volunteering at Zuludesk gave George a renewed sense of purpose and fresh opportunities. “Volunteering has given me fulfillment. It has also opened doors where I see job postings first-hand before other candidates. I’ve built networks and friendships, and I’m learning from colleagues and Alfred himself,” he explained.
The initiative’s job portal, ZuludeskCareers.com, has also boosted his chances. “Yes, it has opened doors as I’ve interacted with professionals across industries. It has given me a platform to let my work speak for itself. Recommendations should be easier from here,” George said.
Asked if he feels more prepared now than when he first lost his job, his response was immediate: “My confidence is sky-high. I’ve been privileged to gain knowledge about job searching, the dos and don’ts. I feel well-equipped to find my next role.”
George also believes systemic change is needed to support job seekers like himself. “The recruitment space in Ghana needs a paradigm shift, where quality candidates are matched with jobs that suit their skills and pay them what they deserve,” he stressed.
But Zuludesk is not just a place for those who lost jobs. It is also a bridge for first-timers trying to enter the corporate space.
Yvonne represents this group. “I’m at the entry stage. I haven’t worked in the corporate space yet, but I’m seeking opportunities in customer service, administration, events, or as an executive assistant,” she said.
For her, the challenge has been employers demanding years of experience. “Most employers ask for three to five years’ experience. But how do you get experience if no one gives you the chance?” she asked.
Her sister introduced her to Zuludesk, and the team’s passion for tackling unemployment convinced her to join. “Zuludesk offered me opportunities to gain experience that most employers won’t give. They also trained me on how to package myself for the corporate space,” she explained.
The training boosted her confidence. “Now I know what I’m about. I know the tools I can use and the basics that can give me an advantage. One key lesson is that you must always tailor your CV to the role you’re applying for. Don’t send the same generic CV everywhere,” Yvonne advised.
“Sometimes you just need to give someone with little or no experience an opportunity. You’d be surprised by the potential they carry. Many people out there need just one chance to prove themselves,” she added.
Unlike many social initiatives, Zuludesk sustains itself through a shared model. Entrepreneurs and freelancers pay for affordable desks, and their fees keep ZuludeskCareers.com free for job seekers.
“It’s a business that fuels social good,” Alfred explained. “The business side funds the mission.”
One of Alfred’s proudest moments was seeing a young job seeker who found a role through ZuludeskCareers.com return later as part of a startup renting space at Zuludesk. “That full-circle story is exactly why we exist,” he said.
So far, Zuludesk has helped unemployed graduates, struggling professionals, and small business founders find community. Some have secured jobs, others have built businesses, and the rest have simply found relief in knowing they don’t have to face unemployment alone.
Across Africa, unemployment remains one of the toughest social and economic challenges. What makes Zuludesk different, Alfred says, is its ability to normalize unemployment as part of life’s journey while offering solutions.
“Unemployment is not failure — it’s a transition,” he stressed. “We want to make that transition less lonely by giving people space, opportunity, and hope.”
Alfred dreams of expanding Zuludesk into a national network of coworking and career hubs. Each hub would provide space for entrepreneurs while supporting job seekers in the same loop of sustainability.
He invites collaboration from employers, government, recruiters, and individuals willing to mentor or post jobs. “Together, we can change the way society responds to job loss,” he said.
For now, Zuludesk’s doors remain open for anyone who needs a desk, a connection, or simply a safe place to breathe.
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