Podcast Summary: Every Decision You Make Affects Three Generations – Stop Thinking Small

Konnected Minds Podcast
Host: Derrick Abaitey
Date: January 17, 2026

Overview

This episode of the Konnected Minds Podcast, hosted by Derrick Abaitey, dives deep into how decisions made today can impact not only oneself but also future generations. With a special focus on Africans in the diaspora and the importance of returning home, the conversation revolves around legacy, challenging limiting beliefs, and the importance of thinking beyond immediate needs. The guest, an entrepreneur with a background in both Ghana and abroad, shares personal experiences about education, navigating Western systems, returning to Africa, and building a multigenerational business legacy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Power of Oral Tradition and Education

• The conversation opens with reflections on how traditions survive and are passed down through generations by word of mouth, emphasizing human knowledge that predates widespread literacy.

• Quote:

  "If that wasn't the case, then human knowledge, which wasn't written, would have disappeared from the face of this earth." (A, 00:00)

• Addressing the idea of the 'Chinese whispers' effect (message distortion), the guest argues that, eventually, traditions get recorded and scrutinized for accuracy.

  "At some point in time the education will come in and it will be written down. And then we put it to scrutiny to make sure what is being done is the right thing." (A, 00:19)

2. The Value of Studying Abroad

• The guest discusses the decision to study overseas, stating that exposure to Western education systems and international networks is a significant advantage for business growth.

• Networking Highlight:

  "As I'm sitting here, I have friends from all over the world. If I need something, I can call somebody in China on my phone. A classmate in Japan, a classmate in Australia..." (A, 00:43)

• This cross-cultural exposure demystifies other cultures, enabling better competition and understanding.

• Historical context: Sending heirs abroad to learn systems of those in power, then returning to leverage that knowledge for community advancement.

• Critique: Unlike Chinese and Turkish diasporas, many Africans who go abroad don't return, leading to lost opportunity for home countries.

  "That's where the Chinese I think they've done. They did a tremendous job of it. ... But our people, unfortunately, we went there and got caught up." (A, 01:34–02:50)

3. The Dilemma of Not Returning Home

• The lure of comfort and the 'path of least resistance' is a human, not racial, trait, but the guest feels that many in the African diaspora avoid the challenges of returning and building at home.

• Quote:

  "...most people are not built [to] withstand these challenges. So they're like I know here I have a job, have a nice home, can drive my Porsches. Why do I have to come here and come and stress?" (A, 02:55)

• Personal motivation: The guest’s commitment to ownership and legacy, as opposed to just maintaining comfort abroad.

  "I can't stay here and just work my whole life. I have to own something." (A, 03:22)

4. Call to Action: Skills and Impact Back Home

• The guest encourages young, skilled Africans abroad to consider returning, arguing that true impact and recognition are best felt at home, across Africa—not just in Ghana.
• Quote:

  "If you want your name to be out there for people to feel the impact of what you have learned, look back home wherever you are. Not just Ghana, Togo, Benin, any other African country – that's where your impact will be felt." (A, 03:48–04:38)

5. Decision-Making Across Generations

• Explores the idea that every decision we make affects not just ourselves but also families—both ancestors and descendants.

• Quote:

  "Nobody does anything in vacuum, Derek. What you are doing is not for yourself. It's for yourself and your family. ... You were. People came before you. This is your turn. ... Your children will bend it, will take it from where you are and then continue." (A, 04:58)

• Emphasis on the traditional African concept of extended family vs. the Western nuclear family.

• Notable Cultural Insight:

  "Africa we've lived [as] extended family. That's why, like Akans, we don't have a word for cousins..." (A, 05:44)

6. The Journey of Returning and Building in Africa

• The guest shares a turning point: deep research into African history, inspired by Professor Yusef Ben Yekanan, revealing Africa's greatness and the false narratives pervasive in mainstream teachings.

• Quote:

  "I started to research on him. So it was when I started reading his books, I realized that we've been lied to for all these years, from religion to engineering to science, I was like, Africans are really great, you know?" (A, 06:40)

• Family support and encouragement play a major role: The guest's father, an optimist, prompts him to use his skills to benefit Ghana.

• The journey to starting a business at home is one of trial and error, adapting to local conditions, and relying on family sacrifice—his older brother giving up opportunities to help build the family business.

• Memorable Story:

  "My senior brother...shared that story. ... He was the one who sacrificed his schooling that. You know, Fred, I think you have something. You are greater than I am. So you go, and then I'll stay home and work and pay your rent..." (A, 07:38–end)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Oral Tradition and Scrutiny:
  "At some point in time the education will come in and it will be written down. And then we put it to scrutiny to make sure what is being done is the right thing." (A, 00:19)

• Power of Global Networking:
  "As I'm sitting here, I have friends from all over the world. If I need something, I can call somebody in China on my phone." (A, 00:43)

• On Diaspora Return:
  "Where we as Africans we fell shortest when we went. Majority of us didn't come back." (A, 01:34)

• On Comfort Versus Challenge:
  "Most people are not built [to] withstand these challenges. So they're like I know here I have a job, have a nice home, can drive my Porsches. … So that's why I'm saying the upbringing and the fact that ownership for my family was the reason why I said I can't stay here and just work my whole life." (A, 02:55–03:22)

• Heritage Mindset:
  "Everything that you do. … If the decision that I take, how is it going to affect me and the people before me and the people to come after me? Things will be easy for you." (A, 04:58–05:40)

• African Family Structure:
  "Nuclear families was just introduced by a foreign power. We've always been extended family. That's why, like Akans, we don't have a word for cousins." (A, 05:44)

• Rediscovering African Potential:
  "I realized that we've been lied to for all these years, from religion to engineering to science, I was like, Africans are really great, you know?" (A, 06:40)

Key Timestamps

• 00:00–00:19 — Oral vs. written tradition and cultural transmission
• 00:43–01:34 — Value of Western education and networking abroad
• 01:34–02:50 — Historical context of studying abroad and diaspora return
• 02:55–03:22 — Why diaspora often doesn't return home
• 03:48–04:38 — Aspirational message to skilled Africans abroad
• 04:58–05:44 — The multi-generational impact of our decisions
• 06:40–end — Journey to rediscovering African greatness and starting a business at home

Conclusion

This episode urges listeners, especially Africans in the diaspora, to look beyond personal comfort and consider the broader, long-term impact of their decisions. Returning home and building businesses or legacies can deeply affect multiple generations and contribute to the larger story of Africa’s growth and self-realization. The host and guest highlight the critical role of family, heritage, and mindset in shaping a meaningful and successful legacy.