What we need to do for Africa to stand a chance in the days ahead

By 2050, a quarter of the population of the world will be African youth.

Do you think that equates to strength or an opportunity?

Great opportunity. We have the opportunity to control the global workforce.

African leaders get to put labor regulations in place that protect Africans wherever they are, whether Asia, Europe, or America. Yes, I think maybe that's only when we might maximize that number.

Yes, but we also have a dwindling youth population in Europe, and so if the African youth can, can look into the future and say, ha, in 10 years, in 15 years, what I can specialize in may not be found in Europe. There may not be any young person that can do what I can do. You will be given value for the value that you have placed on yourself. And so yes, there is the governmental side of things where our leaders obviously need us, need to put us in a good light. But there is also truth in individuals preparing themselves for the future. And it could be as early as 2030.

What's our biggest opportunity right now?

Our biggest opportunity—

Having identified our biggest opportunity, what do you think is our biggest challenge right now?

Our biggest challenge? I think we're standing in our own way.

Powerful.

I think there is a lot that we can do to move ourselves forward. But there are people making it happen.

No, one time I heard Pierre Lumumba said the world is planning for Africa, but is Africa planning for the world? Do you think Africa should unite?

Africa should absolutely unite. I think there is absolute power in numbers and strength in numbers, and I think that, um, the continent needs to recognize that strength. And we can start by our, our own transport system and trade and making it easy to move between the continent. At the moment, it's incredibly hard trying to, trying to get to, to certain parts of the continent. And why do we need visas anyway? That doesn't happen anywhere else in the world. Why do we need visas to, to visit other nations in Africa? Africa, why? That, that then poses us a deterrent.

Do you think democracy is working for Africa?

No.

Femi Lazarus.

Welcome you to the Classified Podcast. Um, myself and my team, we've been working so hard behind the scenes to get different intellectual conversations across to you. We know that these conversations will form the basis for what will change our world as we know it, because words form narratives, narratives shape culture. And this is the reason why I want to invite you to join me on this journey, not just as one who is going to view this today, I want to have you on board with me, and I like for you to just do these 3 quick things for me. Number 1, I'd like for you to like this particular podcast. You know, don't just watch, just like. I want you to do that for me. And when you do this, the algorithm takes this to as many people as possible who can now have access to enjoy the very same thing you're enjoying. Also, I'd like for you to drop a comment. Let us know how this has impacted you, things you've learned, and sometimes just your own view. And I'd like for you to also subscribe on this YouTube channel. I'd like for us to grow together as a community. I look forward to having you again and again on the Classified Podcast, and I can't wait to see you some other time.

Thank you. Now, I believe you're not going to see this as flattery. You're one of the most successful Black women in New Jersey. Um, you're a Ghanaian. And ultimately an African. You're doing amazing things for yourself. And but yet you keep coming to Africa every year to help, to empower young minds. What makes you so believe in the continent this much?

I think I call it a love that will not let me go. I guess I've been fortunate to live on many continents. I've lived in Europe, I've lived in Asia. Now America. I was born and grew up on the continent of Africa. And I guess I see the difference that exposure gives. I see the difference between what having and not having does.

What having and not having does.

Yes. And so, for example, my boys play sports. They are avid soccer players. And you see in terms of equipment what they have, in terms of their own kits, what they have. And you come to the continent of Africa, raw talent, pure raw talent, wonderful players. There's some that do not have boots to move on to the next stage. And so what do we do? We come in, we collect kits, we do our bits, we, you know, fundraise and come and help. People like that. So it is really the need and the passion to just see my own people move to the next level.

Do you see the same needs in Ghana also?

Absolutely, absolutely.

What do you think is Africa's number one need right now?

Our number one need is a mindset change.

Mindset change.

Mindset change. And by that, especially for the youth, the belief that we can do it right in our own land. And I know I've had the privilege of traveling, and so they will say, you know, good for you, you have gone and, you know, you have been successful, and so you can come and help. But all well and good, I know some of us are meant to go and come back and help. But there are people that can make it right here on this continent. And there are many examples. And so what I want is self-belief, knowing and believing that with the right attitude, you can make it. Just going abroad is not the end-all and the be-all. It may be great for some, but for some, we're meant to stay on the continent and help it to move to the next level.

So you believe that the right minds that can shape this continent are right here? Absolutely.

On the soil. And those are the people you're looking for? Absolutely, absolutely. And Africa, I keep saying this, the African youth is not void of talent. We're not void of talent, we're not void of, you know, there isn't any lack of ability anywhere. It's just lack of mindset and a belief that it can be done. And so, you know, for us, what we— mindset change is big in our programs. Leadership is big in our programs. And so we want the African youth to believe in themselves, that, you know, knowing that you can, believing that you can. And for some, it's just even the belief in me believing in them. Thinking and knowing that they're not forgotten. For some, that is all they need. We have a program for women. We do a lot of, you know, poverty, menstrual poverty programs.

What do you call it?

Menstrual poverty programs. And so, you know, we support women that at the time of the month cannot afford a pad, for example, and we bring in menstrual cups. And when we get into the room, you can just see from their posture, it's almost like they have given up on life. You just see them sitting anyhow. And, you know, and I get into the room and I say, I say, you know, "Good afternoon, queens." And, you know, usually this is to sports players. And I say, "Do you know that you are less than 1% of the population of what you can do? I cannot do what you can do. Do you believe in yourself? Do you believe that you're a queen? Do you believe that you're amazing? Do you believe that you're awesome?" And all of a sudden, you just see them sit up, shoulders squaring up, and that's it.

Why are you that passionate? Have you tasted that kind of life before?

I have. I was fortunate to go to a girls' school in Ghana, not abroad, in Ghana, that believed in excellence, that told us that we were the standard and that even going abroad, you cannot, you know, level yourself to certain menial jobs. It is not just because a lot of Africans go and do that doesn't mean that that has to be your story. You know, some people may do it out of necessity, but you are the standard. And so you have to set the bar. And so I know what, you know, that mindset of knowing that you're intelligent enough, that you're good enough. I know and see what it does. It absolutely sets up your identity.

Your perspective, they are deep.

Mm-hmm.

Now, I understand that just a small fraction of Blacks in America gets to attain to your level of success.

Mm-hmm.

What are the things you did differently? Ha!

So in America, I keep having this conversation, and it may come across as if I was brought up in Africa, and so my story is different. That, you know, I wasn't there during the struggle, and so my story is different. But I believe that the reason why a lot of diasporans do well is because we do not carry the baggage that many Blacks carry in terms of the struggle of the slave trade. But what I say is that— I know I may get a knockdown for this, but America is the greatest nation in the world. You believe they have everything to prove it. They have everything to prove it. It is one of the reasons why most people that want to travel go there. The American dream is attainable to anyone that does. And I have said to them, I don't see anywhere apart from in sub-Saharan Africa where a Black person will become president. It has happened. We have had a Black person as a vice president. It has happened. Many people go with nothing, not even with an education, and they can set up a business and make it in America. And so for me, I believe, yes, America has its challenges. So does everywhere else. And I believe if you can look beyond the challenges and not make everything about racism. Yes, it is a challenge. But if there is some strength in you that can easily shake it off and say, "I am not what people say I am," that, you know, my ability is not, or what I am producing, what someone is telling me that what I'm producing is subpar because I am Black, it does not define me. And so I look beyond that and I keep pushing and I keep pushing and I keep pushing. I believe that is the difference.

So you believe that the trauma of the slave trade here has broken people's spirit?

Absolutely. Absolutely. And understandably so. Understandably so. I keep raising my hands up and say, you know, I wasn't there, but I can see also even for Black Americans that have pushed beyond that limit, that, you know, it has made a difference.

But that doesn't include some of the young people now who were not there also.

It does not, but history passes on. And, you know, when you live in a household that has said that, you know, we can't progress because we're Black, or this is not happening for us because we're Black, or we don't have these opportunities—

Femi Lazarus, pity.

Again, The reality is that it was a harrowing time for Black people, and it was in our very generation. You have people's grandmothers and mothers that, you know, that lived through it. And so, it is definitely a real thing, and I do not in any way want to downplay that. No, for sure. But I feel that for people that have said I am not going to be who they say I am, or I am not going to let that define me, have been able to push past those barriers and made something for themselves.

Do you want to walk us through some of the practical steps people can take to push past those barriers?

So to quote my husband, he would often say, use black to your advantage. And so you will go into a room and you are the only Black person. How are you going to differentiate yourself? And it's all about putting value on yourself.

Yes.

Right. It's all about making sure that you stand out. It's all about making sure that you're excellent in all you do. And so those are some of the things. Life is not going to be handed to you on a silver platter.

It won't.

It won't. And, you know, it is true that as a Black person, you have to work twice as hard and do, you know, things twice as hard. You believe so? I believe so. I believe so. There is absolute truth in that. But I also believe that, you know, if, um, again, in changing your mindset and switching it to your advantage and saying that because I'm the only Black person, if I can speak differently— how did Barack Obama become president and a president without scandal? He knew what he was aiming for. He had his goals and he stuck to it. Yeah, no scandal before his presidency, no scandal during his presidency.

Yeah.

And so I believe that it can be done. I, I have seen, um, in terms of the Western world, more Black people in prominent, in prominent positions than anywhere else in the world. And I have lived in Europe, and there may— I have lived in Asia as well, but there are not that many Black people. But yes, it is. And I believe that You know, yes, they are practicing democracy now, but in the beginning, it was pseudo-democracy that moved them forward, that moved them forward.

So you think Africa at some point—

We have practiced democracy for many years, and I don't know.

Like, we need benevolent dictatorship? What do you think about that?

I don't know if dictatorship is the entire thing that we need, but we need a leader that will drive things forward. We do need a system where maybe we don't say that every 4 years there must be an election. Because as at where we are now, most leaders work towards elections and not towards progressing.

Leadership.

Their societies. Yes. And so if I believe, if I come into a fourth term, for example, yes, um, right now all I'm thinking about is how we're going to win the next election. And so that means that there is a destruction in terms of the progress that I can make.

Definitely. Having identified our biggest opportunity, what do you think is our biggest challenge right now?

Our biggest challenge, I think we're standing in our own way.

Powerful, powerful.

I think we're standing in our own way.

Powerful.

I think there is a lot that we can do to move ourselves forward without even waiting for leadership. And some of it is what we have talked about. And, you know, Again, I have worked with very passionate youth that are doing amazing things, and that is actually what drives me forward to say that we have the talent, we have the people. It's a matter of driving most of the people to where we need to be. African youth have amazing talent, incredible work ethic for, you know, for the few. And so we just need to let the rest understand that there are people that are doing it. And it's working. And so again, you know, you can't sit back on your laurels and say that, you know, unemployment and this and that. Yeah. You know that, you know, even if I try, nothing happens. And I'm not saying people are not trying. But there are people making it happen.

You know, one time I heard Pierre Lumumba said, the world is planning for Africa, what is Africa planning for the world? Or something like that. So it looks like there are people that kind of studied this opportunity that exists here.

Yeah.

And systems are almost immediately set in place to sabotage that.

There are. And so there's multiple ways of the truth that you're saying, right? And so again, the world is preparing for Africa.

Always.

And so they see the opportunity and they come. And unfortunately, fortunately or unfortunately, there is the investment side of things, which is good for the continent. But this very thing that, you know, a foreigner will come in to do, if a person in the land tries to do it, they get sabotaged.

Thank you.

That's, that's, they get sabotaged.

Yeah.

And I have experienced it myself, bringing investors in, going into a, I don't want to mention the office, but a governmental office. And they allow these people that do not look at me go straight through security, and I get stopped to say, what is my mission? What am I coming to do here?

In your own country?

In my own country. In my own country. In my own country. I have seen it at airports. You know, the white man just being let through, no questions, no wahala.

Do you think Africa should unite?

Africa should absolutely unite.

That was the clamor of Kwame Nkrumah. Yes. You think that plays— that will play a very big role?

I think, I think there is absolute power in numbers and strength in numbers. And I think that the continent needs to recognize that strength. And we can start by our, our own transportation transport system and trade and making it easy to move between the continent. At the moment, it's, it's incredibly hard trying to, trying to get to, to certain parts of the continent. And why do we need visas anyway? That doesn't happen anywhere else in the world. Why do we need visas to, to visit other nations in Africa?

In Africa, why?

That, that then poses as a deterrent.

You need about 32 visas to move around Africa, and that's, that's painful. I had something from Joshua Maponga. I don't know if you know him, from Zimbabwe. He was explaining how that, um, in Zimbabwe they still have to run pipelines, the pipelines to get fuel from Iraq.

Oh wow.

When they can just get fuel from neighboring Angola. So it looks like just by certain construct, when we trade with ourselves, we don't consider it trading. I I can't make sense out of it, you know. Um, just thank God now Nigeria, the case is different. We have our own crude oil but no functional refinery until a private person came in. So we get the oil, we give it to them, they refine, we buy back, then we pay subsidies so if you can buy cheap. Do you think these are systems in place to aid corruption?

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

That's a witty yes.

Yes. And you see it everywhere. You see it everywhere. And people are not prepared to change the systems because at the end of the day does not benefit them. And that is the most painful part. You have— you feel like you're having a thriving discussion on change and what could drive change on the continent and they will, if they're close enough to you, they will tell you that that's not, that's not going to benefit us.

This is part of the difficulties you face when you come around.

Yeah.

For you, is this a lonely road?

It is, or it can be. It can be a lonely road, but we can't stop.

Do you sometimes feel you are wasting your time?

Sometimes I have challenges. I have challenges pushing some of our programs through, and sometimes it's by the very people that you feel should embrace it. We have a job readiness program, for example, free online.

Are you serious?

And we want to go into the universities and talk about it, and everyone wants money before they can— before they give us the platform. Why is that? And it hurts me because I feel like, why aren't you seeing that I am trying to help you? That's all I'm trying to do. And yet it's all about filling our stomachs for today. We're not looking long term. We're not thinking long term. We're not thinking about what we could set up for our children's children.

The culture of not thinking long term. Do you think that's part of our trauma?

It absolutely is.

Do you think that has also affected wealth creation in Africa?

It has. It has to a large extent. Because people will not consider the future of the country before they award contracts, for example.

True.

If it will not benefit them, yeah, to a large extent, you're not getting it.

You're not getting it.

God help you if you refuse to pay bribes. It's not happening.

But Ghana is better than Nigeria, is it not?

I don't know. I don't know. I don't know.

I don't know.

I don't know. I can't— I cannot say. I cannot say. But But I believe there's room for improvement. There's room for improvement in all nations and in both of the nations that you have mentioned.

When I spoke with you, I felt really concerned. Whatever puts you on the plane and flew over 14 hours down here to see changes, and you get to the ground where you want to see those changes, and the people who need those changes are asking you for money. Yeah, before they can embrace what you brought. Yeah, that's a lonely road.

It is, it is. But we cannot give up because just for a start, we just need the few that will embrace it. And hopefully people can see the change from where they were to where they, they can go. Yeah. And hopefully they will see that, ah, if I had followed them a year ago, or 2 years ago, at our last conference, there was a powerful analogy. And I think he called it the one degree challenge or the one degree difference. And said, let's say both of us attend a conference. And I keep going the way I'm going. And yet you, you hear something that strikes a chord with you. And you decide that I'll only make one change. Yeah. Maybe it may be as simple as reading for an hour every day.

Yeah.

Maybe something as simple as I will hand in my CV, 5 CVs every day, or, you know, post online. You know, every day. By the end of the year, you will see the difference that the one degree made. Wow. Wow. Yeah.

So you've had these programs in where? You've had in Ghana?

We've had it in Ghana.

Then now Nigeria.

Now Nigeria.

So you're meeting in Nigeria. You want to run us through what it looks like?

Yes. So Dominate 2026 is a youth empowerment conference.

Yes.

And like we have mentioned all of our issues, we can't just talk about them. We need to take steps to rectify them. And so this is a conference to bring the youth together. Yes. To pour into the youth.

Yes.

Our 6 main areas of of, of, uh, Focus is financial literacy, entrepreneurship, relationships, mindset coaching, leadership training, and career building. And so we're looking at a holistic African youth. Wow. And so they need, um, you know, if you're going to earn money, you need to learn how to keep it.

You need to learn it.

We need entrepreneurs to move this continent forward. Relationships is a big one for me, and I know I've heard you talk about this also. Yeah, because when you have a healthy family, the society is healthy. Oh yeah, your township is healthy. The nation is healthy. And it's important for us as a society, as a continent, to get this right. And I keep speaking to the youth about this and say it's important to marry right. Yeah. I feel like a lot the generation before us endured.

Yes.

Their marriages.

Yeah, they did.

We have an opportunity to enjoy and build something more. Wow. And so that's, that's big for me, because I feel like that's a bedrock of any, any community, any nation. And then we have our mindset coaching, because that definitely needs to change. We have leadership. We need to, we need to teach servant leadership and doing leadership the right way. And then it's career building is about guiding them in terms of choosing their prospective careers.

Wow.

Yeah.

You know, recently in my mentorship academy, right, we're discussing some of the ills of Africa, particularly Nigeria, and what we can do to tackle the problems on ground, right? And most of us agreed that now we have to focus on the next generation.

Mm-hmm.

And there was something quite painful about some of our conclusions. It was the fact that there is little or nothing we can do now to affect those who are already formed in a certain way. Mm-hmm. So now if there's going to be any hope for the country or any hope for the continent, we've got to focus on the next generation. Where we need to go. That's where you are.

Yeah.

Do you— how important do you think it is for many people to join you on this journey?

Oh, I cannot stress the importance of it because, um, I feel like there's many things that we take for granted. There's many things that, like we say, our society have shaped our minds, um, into thinking that, oh, I have no hope because look at our nation. Or, you know, we say, we even spew out words that we don't realize how powerful it is. Like, you know, oh, it's so hard. And it's become so casual that even when the thing is not hard, we've said it so many times that it automatically rolls off our tongues. And so it forms our mindset. And we don't even realize it that we're not trying because we have, you know, built this mindset that It is hard.

Wow.

And, you know, especially in Ghana, you just, you know, just casually, you know, and in our local dialect, we'll say, "Hmm, eh, Dinho," you know? And it just means, "Ah, life is tough." That's what it means? Yes. And you just, if you care to elaborate, the reason they will give is very, very shallow. Very flimsy, very flimsy, very flimsy. Like, you know, why exactly are you saying this and why are you expressing this? Oh, but, but it is, you know, but it is. And I'm not saying that we, we have it easy in our continent. I'm just saying that let's focus on the positives.

Do you get the vibrations from people who feel you are only talking like this because you are opportuned?

Absolutely. Absolutely. They may not say it to my face, but I am very much aware of it.

But in essence, do you consider yourself privileged?

I consider myself privileged, but I feel that with privilege comes responsibility, and that's why I come here. That's why I come back. That's why I come back. I could easily stay in my privilege.

Definitely.

And just care about my nuclear family or maybe my parents. And my siblings. But we have a responsibility. We do. We have a response. When you know better, you need to teach better.

True.

And it may not be for everyone, but if there is one or two that will take it, I believe my job is done. I said it at last year's conference that I may be here for just the one person, because raising funds was tough. Wow. But I couldn't stop I said, maybe the next Kofi Annan is in this room. And they don't even know it. Maybe the next president of Ghana is in this room. And they just need to hear something that will push them forward. Wow. And if that is the reason why there's more than 1,000 people gathered here, my job is done.

Wow.

And so it's about passing on this positive mindset, because you could say that, oh, you know, they don't even listen anyway, or they're just going to listen and go back to their old ways. And but there may be the one, the one. There's this video on, on YouTube about a famous drummer now. He is a famous drummer now, and I don't know if you've seen it, but when he was in school, in primary school, they called him a destructor because he just couldn't stop drumming on, on the table, on his table.

Wow. And it took one teacher to see the potential.

It took one teacher to to see the potential to say it may be drumming that is in this child that just cannot stop. Bought him drumsticks. I can't remember his name, but he is a famous drummer now. Wow.

And that was it. That was it.

That was it.

When I met you, one of the first impressions I had in my heart I said to myself, this is a strong woman. The way you carry yourself, the way you talk, your vision. Now we have seen, um, particularly it's quite loud now, women saying that we need liberation. Which is true. If two people work at the same way, they should be paid equally.

Yes.

No one should be paid less because of their gender.

No.

I want to talk about that liberation for women and the best context we can situate that.

Yes. So women's liberation, women's empowerment. So important. So important. I feel like the world has come a long way and it's a global phenomenon, by the way. You look at tennis players and the females don't get paid as much as the men. As the males. And the powers that be can argue that, you know, they don't get as much viewership as the men.

Do you think that argument is valid?

When I'm not the one writing the checks. I'm not the one writing the checks.

You're a businesswoman, but you understand.

I am a businesswoman, but I believe, you know, especially for the, you know, just using the Williams sisters as an example.

Oh yes.

You, you, they had, you know, they filled the stadiums.

Oh yes, they did.

They filled the stadiums. And so in that case, you know, yes, they ought to be paid. As much as their male colleagues. And, you know, if you're in the office doing equally the same job, you have to be paid as much. And, you know, my husband has been very good at drawing my attention to this. And I think even subconsciously, especially when you come and you feel like someone has done a great job, subconsciously, I would tip the, you know, and I say, I don't want to say I say it with shame, but I would tip, you know, the guys more than the women.

Really?

And I'll tell you why. And it's probably a cultural thing. Because you see men hunting and forcing a lot more.

True.

You know, and I'm not, I'm not saying this, but I want to see, I want to see our young women because you see, our young women are doing well. And I don't want to be, you know, put out of context for this. But there are situations where I have been in where, you know, a lady will say, once they have their job, they're comfortable. Or I say that you can do this and also do that. And they'll say, oh no, I am fine. But a man will just grab onto it, or their, you know, their male colleagues will say, you know, yes, I will do this and this and do that for you. But, and so that, that was my thinking that I have seen the effort. In terms of how far he has gone to produce this, you know. And so, you know, my husband will say, it doesn't matter, just tip them all the same way. And so, you know, yes, if two people are in an office and putting in the same effort doing the same job, yes, they ought to be paid equally. And actually now, especially in Ghana, I think, especially in the banks, we have a lot of female CEOs. Yeah, I see things like with the alumina in the schools, the females are much more organized. Yeah, they do so much more than the mixed schools or your typical boys' schools. And so there is a case to be said that women are organized. And women are putting in the work.

True.

And when this is the case, then the compensation ought to be equal.

Have you suffered anything in this regard? Have you been discriminated against?

Not personally, no, not personally.

Something you have observed?

It's something I've observed. It's something I've observed.

Looking at the range of your programs across Africa, there seems to be a lot focused on mindset development.

Yes.

Leadership, entrepreneurship, you know, personal development and all that.

Yeah.

Why is that?

I think it's the— there is so much to be said of a mindset shift. Yeah. And until we place value on that, I don't think that we can progress as a continent. And this is practically true for two people working in the same company, two people working in the same environment, and one person deciding that apart from the work, that I am going to improve myself.

Yeah.

In another way.

Yeah.

There is, there is a huge difference. There is a huge difference. And we need to place value on things that are not attached to cash, or things that maybe, you know, may not bring, like I said, monetary incentives, incentives right now. And that includes our youth, volunteering for positions, volunteering to help. And internships abroad are part of the mainstay, very organized. And every youth, even when they're not doing an internship, you know, they are working a job that teaches them that I need to earn for myself. That apart from what my parents give me, maybe they may be giving me something, but this thing that I am earning for myself can give me so much more. Yeah. Or you go for an internship where you are not paid, but the value that it brings to your mind. Yeah. Nothing can replace that on your CV or on your resume. Yeah. And so you have to realize that you're investing in your future.

Solid.

You are investing in your future. And I want to encourage the youth that even if that means that investing in it, if that means that you have to pay for a course, if that means that you have to go and work somewhere for free, yeah, to be able to say that you have learned and that I have this much experience, please, in the name of God, do it. Do it. Do it.

There's a personal question on my mind, and you're an high-impact person. Have you ever been scared of entering into certain rooms?

Huh? Every day. What? Every day.

Every day?

Every day. Every day. But that's what— what— that's why personal development is important.

So there are places you find yourself, you get scared of entering?

You get scared. You're like, am I even worthy? Should I be here? Can I articulate myself in a way that I should? But it doesn't stop me.

Really?

It does not. It scares me, but it can't stop me.

How do you push it?

You have to push. And that's, that's why we talk about mindset shift. Yes, this is why we talk about mindset shift. When you know your identity and know that you're enough.

Yes.

And know that you are on a mission, you know your purpose. Yes. Right. You enter a place and you're just like, oh, this seems daunting. Yes. This is only men, or these people feel so much more accomplished. They're probably eyeing you and thinking the same thing.

Definitely.

They're probably looking at you thinking, oh, you know, we saw her here and we saw her there. And this is, this is her topic of strength. And you know, maybe we cannot compare. So how do you, how would you prevent yourself from even trying? What would you tell yourself when you come, when you come home? That I didn't give myself that opportunity? That I got into the room, but I was too scared because I felt like I wasn't worthy. Wow. So it's a real thing. It's a real thing. I don't want anyone, you know, sitting at home thinking, like you're saying, that, you know, yes, she's used to being on stage. And, you know, and if, by the way, just by the way, if public speaking is your thing, go and try acting. Go, go and take acting lessons. Go and take public speaking courses because it is something that will help you along the way. That's, that's just again on, on speaking on personal development.

Do you act?

I used to. I used to. I didn't know God was preparing me for this.

Wow.

I didn't know God was preparing me for this.

Like in Ghana?

In Ghana, in secondary school, I was always on stage.

Wow.

Debating clubs. Poetry. Yes.

I'm not sure you understand how liberating this sounds. The fact that every once in a while, every now and then, you are fierce too.

Everybody, I am sure. Everybody. Everybody. And there isn't a time when I go and stand on stage to make a speech that I am I don't, you know, I don't feel nervous.

And I've watched many of your videos I saw online. I can't see that.

You can see settings as they call it.

Interesting.

Settings as they call it. But you speak to people and everybody has it. The difference is allowing it to, you know, to overwhelm you or minimize you or stop you or pushing past it and doing it anyway. It's better for you to try and fail than not to have tried at all, because we learn from our failures. John Maxwell puts it this way: fail forward.

Fail forward.

Yeah, fail forward.

Let me ask you second to the last question before I let you go. What's your biggest concern for Ghana?

Biggest concern for Ghana? Huh, that's a deep question.

Your president at the moment is a Pan-Africanist.

Yes.

From where I stand, I love him.

Mm.

I don't know what's happening there, right? But his policies, his mindset, And I, I, I see him facing some similar problems Nkrumah went through. That's resistance from the land.

Huh.

Does that concern you?

Yes, I was, I was going to talk about that. Um, that as much as we talk about a leadership crisis, sometimes I feel like it's not that we lack good leadership because you see people get into positions and unfortunately do the very things that they said that they wouldn't. It's even more painful when you have people that you know come from the diaspora and you have sat in rooms discussing the very same challenges and you expect that they take certain positions and that they would do better, and yet that doesn't happen. And so, um, that is my fear. That the system, I feel, may be bigger than the individual that means well.

And the system, that's the people?

Yes, it is the people that make the system, unfortunately. And so if you become a president, for example, and you do not— your entire team does not carry your mindset, your entire team does not carry the dream that you're carrying, then you're in trouble.

Big trouble.

Then you're in trouble. And so that for me is my fear because we have seen it irrespective of political parties played out time and time and time again. And people get voted in for goodwill because they have talked the talk and people feel like they will come in and make the difference. Walk the walk.

Before I let you go, can you describe the Africa of your dream?

Ha! The Africa of my dreams. The Africa of my dreams, I would love to see leaders that fight for the people. I would love to see a people that irrespective of our challenges, we move forward.

Regardless of the challenges.

Regardless of the challenges, because there are challenges everywhere. I would love to see us go abroad just merely for holidays, not because of economic reasons.

Yeah, yeah.

I would love to see the systems work for the young and vibrant, vibrant minds that want to make so much change and bring so much change. Because as much as we're encouraging them, like we have said, sometimes the system stands in the way. And so I would love to see a dream, like you said, is a dream where leaders are on the same page to drive the continent forward. And when they sit in international rooms, that they're fighting for the nations, they're fighting for a continent that deserves so much more. Yeah, that would be good to see. Wow, that would be good to see.

Now I understand the reason why this keeps bringing you back. Yes, to do what you're doing. We look forward to working together with you beyond Nigeria, across other African region. Yes, and you getting strong hands who share your passion and this same burden for the continent. Yes, I want to thank you for coming.

Thank you for having me. Thank you.