Konnected Minds Podcast
Host: Derrick Abaitey
Segment: "This Country Made You Who You Are - Remember That Before You Chase the West."
Date: January 12, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode centers around the importance of valuing one’s home country—particularly in the African context—before seeking opportunities in the West. The conversation, led by Derrick Abaitey and his guest (referred to as “A” but praised as “Mr. Fred”), dives into the potential for local innovation, the critical role of science and engineering in national development, the realities of migration, and the pitfalls of undervaluing African resources and opportunities. The tone is passionate, insightful, and motivational, urging young Africans and policymakers to rethink their approach to local challenges and global aspirations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Power of Engineers and Local Innovation

[00:00–01:39]

• The episode opens with an observation on global engineering output, highlighting China and Iran as unexpected leaders in producing engineers.

  • "Look at China now. Now they've taken over the world as they're the biggest, they're the largest producer of engineers." – Mr. Fred [00:00]
  • Iran consistently ranks in the top five for producing engineers, serving as an example of resilience despite challenges.

• The discussion moves to the practical applications of engineering, specifically the need to solve local problems, such as producing high-purity alcohol domestically instead of importing:

  • "Look at how much alcohol we import to Ghana. $2 billion... Our engineers, young engineers can go out there, partner with [local alcohol producers]." – Mr. Fred [01:39]

• Example: By controlling distillation temperature with basic engineering, local producers can achieve export-quality alcohol, benefiting both local industry and young professionals.

The Mindset Shift: Adding Value Locally

[02:00–04:33]

• The market for natural and locally-made products is booming globally (e.g., natural dyes), yet African scientists and engineers often ignore these opportunities.

  • "There's a big demand for natural dyed products in the world right there. Engineers, our scientists looking for jobs." – Mr. Fred [03:02]

• The size comparison of the manufacturing industry to entertainment and sports underscores where true economic opportunity lies:

  • "Manufacturing alone is $16.8 trillion every year. Sports, $5.83 billion. Recorded music, $23 billion." – Mr. Fred [03:32]
  • Manufacturing need not be a massive gigafactory; even small-scale processing (like roasting peanuts) counts.
    • "People make it seem manufacturing is such a difficult thing... Most factories around the world are maybe like the size of mine." [03:32]

• Africa's wealth in raw materials is underutilized due to an overreliance on exporting rather than value addition.

  • "In this global economic structure, there is no raw material more expensive than finished goods. There's none." [04:33]

The Role of Education: History and Identity

[04:34–07:10]

• Proposes that engineering students in Ghana (and by extension, Africa) should study African history alongside technical skills, grounding their identities and sense of responsibility.

  • "If we produce 150,000 engineers every year over 10 years... all engineers will study African history... they know that the reason why they are being trained as engineers is to help our society." – Mr. Fred [05:13]

• The mass production of engineers is a "numbers game" akin to the strategies of Russia, China, and the US.

  • "Are you telling me we won't get two or three people who are so brilliant that they will push our country forward?" [05:32]

Migration and the “Brain Drain” Dilemma

[07:10–09:47]

• Trained professionals, especially nurses in Ghana, leaving for better pay in the UK and other countries is discussed.

  • "You train people and they travel abroad. Look at our nurses. The UK took them all." – Derrick Abaitey [07:04]

• Mr. Fred challenges the assumption that pay is always better abroad, urging a long-term perspective and awareness of the bigger picture.

  • "Has anybody sat down and looked at the pay rates of people in Vietnam, China, India and all those places? ...At times you have to look beyond just yourself and your comfort." – Mr. Fred [07:23-08:01]
  • "I told her, madame, call your family in Canada. How many of them make $350 a day? You are leaving to go above... but they don't look at the long term game." – Mr. Fred [08:29]

• Highlights that owning multiple homes or achieving significant wealth is often more feasible in one's home country over a lifetime.

Attitudes Toward Home and Diaspora Connections

[09:31–10:45]

• Discusses black people in the diaspora who are disconnected from Africa and don’t wish to return.
  • "We have no problem with that because you can't change them. You don't put resources on things that you can't change." – Mr. Fred [09:47]
  • Suggests focusing on those who wish to return or invest, while encouraging locals to make the best of their situation, as only a small fraction of the global population migrates.

Memorable Closing Moment: Roots and Identity

[10:46–11:00]

• Derrick shares a personal story about advice he received before traveling abroad:
  • "Remember, this country is what made you who you are today. And when you go and things work out, remember, if it doesn't work out, this is where you come back to." – Derrick Abaitey, quoting his stepfather [10:46]

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• "Look at China now. They've taken over the world as the biggest... largest producer of engineers." – Mr. Fred [00:00]
• "Our engineers, young engineers can go out there, partner with [local alcohol producers]... just a kettle with a heater underneath. Control the temperature. You are getting 95, 99% pure alcohol." – Mr. Fred [01:39]
• "There's a big demand for natural dyed products in the world right there. Engineers, our scientists looking for jobs." – Mr. Fred [03:02]
• "Manufacturing alone is $16.8 trillion every year..." – Mr. Fred [03:32]
• "If we produce 150,000 engineers every year... and expose them to this... you will change our society." – Mr. Fred [06:10]
• "You train people and they travel abroad. Look at our nurses. The UK took them all." – Derrick Abaitey [07:04]
• "At times you have to look beyond just yourself and your comfort." – Mr. Fred [08:01]
• "Remember, this country is what made you who you are today." – Derrick Abaitey quoting his stepfather [10:46]

Timestamps of Important Segments

• [00:00] – Global engineering output, China and Iran as examples
• [01:00] – Local alcohol purification problem-solving
• [03:00] – Opportunities in manufacturing and natural products
• [04:33] – Value addition vs. raw exports
• [05:13] – Proposal: Engineers should study African history
• [07:04] – Migration/“brain drain” discussion
• [08:29] – Reality vs. perception of wealth abroad
• [09:47] – Diaspora and focus of national efforts
• [10:46] – Personal anecdote about remembering one’s roots

Summary Flow & Takeaways

This episode is a call to action for Africans—especially Ghanaians—not to underestimate the potential of their country or to take a narrow, short-term view of success. It encourages leveraging science, engineering, and local resources to add value and create wealth at home. The hosts challenge the glamourizing of migration without a full understanding of its realities, and the importance of identity and giving back to one’s country. The message is clear: before chasing the perceived gold of the West, acknowledge and elevate the ground you stand on—because that’s what made you.