Tag: Ghana Blogger

Can I Find My Niche in Ghana & Africa

Africa is the future. The real question is, whose future does it benefit? What does Beyond the Return look like now? Before moving to Ghana, I did a lot of research to try to understand the country and see where I could fit. Even though that helped to encourage me to take the first step, it did not compare to what I needed to learn on the ground. In this video, I discuss what has worked for me in finding and creating my niche in Ghana and Africa.

As I discussed in the video, nothing compares to learning from experience. Being patient, adaptable, and open to learning will take you much further, if you are looking to find and create your niche in Ghana and Africa.

Networking does play a role in your success. Instead of insisting there is only one way to do this, I encourage you to explore what works for your industry and your personality. Some people need to be in everyone’s face. Others prefer to keep their circle of contacts small and close. I have found that a mixture of in person socializing and online outreach allows me to have a diverse network of people to learn from, collaborate with, support, and work with. This lends itself to the work culture in Ghana. You do not need to limit people to one transaction or interaction. The person you purchase furniture from can also introduce you to a business opportunity, help you with your garden, invite you to meet their family, or find that particular gadget that is not available in stores. The person you met at an event can also collaborate with you on a project, introduce you to the manager of a bank, teach you how to cook traditional dishes, or introduce you to their tailor. It all depends on how you value and maneuver your interactions.

Even though these connections feel more wholesome compared to the isolating transactions I experienced in Houston, or America in general, I am still learning how these interactions evolve to create your closer circle of friends. This might be influenced by the societal notion that everyone should know their place. Some people, in spite of interacting with each other for an extended period of time, may never feel comfortable enough to invite me into their home. As an American, this is not unusual because we all have friends who don’t know where we live. From my understanding, Ghanaians do invite their real friends home and introduce them to their families. I have also learned that people in Accra are different from people based or born and raised in other parts of Ghana. This might be similar to other big cities, but the sense that not everyone is truly as they seem or say is not foreign in Accra. I am very grateful that I have met and continue to connect to the people who are wholesome, supportive, authentic, and interesting.

Regarding the established network groups I mentioned in the video, I feel they are a great start to get a sense of who is around, what people are talking about, and what you can connect to. Ahaspora is a group for young professionals. I have also used their job listing to find opportunities. AAAG, the African American Association of Ghana, is the group that introduced me to the W.E.B. Du Bois Center in Accra. Ghana Must Read Book Club is a lovely group of book nerds. I really enjoyed the meet up I attended to discuss Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi. This year, each month is dedicated to a different region of the world. There are many more groups for a variety of interests through out Ghana. These are the ones I have participated in thus far.

When it comes to figuring out if your industry exists in Ghana, or another country in Africa, it is important to remember that it may look different than what you are used to. Even though most of the data you need will come from word of mouth, there are startups developing ways to gather that data for all industries. Survey54 is a platform focused on emerging markets in Africa and its diaspora. I met the founder, Stephen Eyeson, in Ghana during the December holiday season. Him and his team are doing an impressive job developing their product. This article in African Business Magazine discusses the industries that are buzzing due to need to shift the economy into a digital landscape. Like I mentioned in the video, mobile financing, online education, and tele health are on their list. There is also a luxury market in Africa that continues to expand and grow. Another article from African Business Magazine discusses this in more detail. The speed of development, debt, and demand creates an interesting environment in Ghana and Africa. The mixture provides a blank canvas for you to choose how you further your business, make an impact, and gain in every aspect of your life.

So far, this is what has encouraged me to continue my journey. Are you looking to move or work in Ghana or another country in Africa? Are you already based in the royal continent and looking to expand or pivot? What do you find helpful? Let me know in the comments. Let’s continue the conversation.

Also, feel free to reach out and connect with me on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. I love hearing from you.

May 9, 2020
The Year 2020

Living in a time and space where all beings can co-exist wholesomely, peacefully, and equally seems to be a dream that drifts further and further. It is as if everything and everyone is burning. As a royal member of the Vibranium Seals, it is my duty to protect our peace. My peace. But, I can’t help but wonder how we could influence time to keep that peace.

I am a 1st generation moon child. A descendant of afropolitans, androids, and healers.. An intergalactic citizen. The only life I know about Earth is what I have swiped in textbooks. The space station I grew up in hovers above Africa, at least what is left of it. My childhood was beautiful and carefree. I traveled to different planets with my family, had friends from different galaxies, and always felt loved. Now, things have changed.

The United Planets has been hijacked by a robotic clan, but we think they are being supported by The Republic, a human society that has been in hiding for centuries. Their mission is to erase the history and legacy of all free spirits. Some say they are building a weapon. Rumor has it they murdered one or our royal elders. We are no longer safe.

I can’t tell you the details of our defensive strategy because…you know…secret agent stuff. My friends and I had planned a vacation at the Pluto Polo Club for next month. My company is launching our new collection of tech-suits next week. My fiance & I finally agreed on where to have our honeymoon. My parents are retired, but I know they are still searching for my twin brother. But, my mission is to travel to a time when the pedagogy of the oppressed was flipped on it’s head. The year when truth was revealed. The year when flames cleansed the Earth. The year when pure hearts overpowered cursed souls. The year when everyone lifted each other up for freedom. The year 2020.

Well, Happy New Year. Above is an excerpt from a project I am working on. A story that has been in my head for way too long. Trust, you will get to share in the adventure soon enough. Now, back to 2020. There really is a lot going on. Not only personally, but all over the world. It is exciting and concerning at the same time. As I reflect on life, time, and space, here are a few things I am focusing on.

Now is the time to show up for yourself. Speak up for yourself. Stand up for yourself. We are all going through an internal transformation. Habits and thoughts that served the old you, positively or negatively, will no longer fit the new you. Distinguishing between your heart’s true desires and expectations imposed by others will become crystal clear. I feel this year we are all coming to a point where we no longer have to question “when will,” or “how long,” or “only if.” Everything you deserve is right here. The question is, are you ready?

This year, I will no longer rationalize the incidents, people, and thoughts that do not serve me. All my life I had to fight…ok…not exactly. But, I have always made excuses for how people treat me or why things don’t turn out the way I thought it would. Concluding there must be something wrong with me and withdrawing further into my mind. It’s 2020. We done with that! I need to be loyal to me. I need to be the bigger person for me. It is time to find that balance. Allow yourself to shine without being concerned of others comfort or approval. Dive into the unknown trusting you are blessed and brilliant. Say yes to expanding your horizons. When it comes to people and circumstances, interact with your surroundings with love. If they are down to ride the train with you, cool. If they can’t keep up with your train, that’s cool too…keep it moving.

Listen to yourself. Where are you in life right now? There is a lot of focus on vision boards and goal action plans. Steps to succeed in finances, health, love, career, etc. That is all great. In addition to that, take a moment to reflect on how you want to feel in this new year and new decade. It can be one word or a paragraph. Then, reflect on what you need to release, heal, and/or forgive to experience that feeling. I have taken the time to release disappointment, heal pain, and forgive myself. The depth of love and gratitude I feel within in myself right now is deeper than I have ever experienced. Almost like I am a kid again, but with more clarity and insight. I think doing this makes your vision board and action plan more real. As you release, heal, and forgive, you gain more clarity on what your higher plan is. This brings you closer to aligning your goals and attention with your soul’s purpose.

This new year and new decade will be as magnificent as you make it. How are you setting the pace for this new chapter? Share with me below.

Style Details! This dress was custom designed by Ometsey. Check out her Instagram and my interview with her. I collaborated with her for The Black Gala , an event in Accra showcasing art and music. The theme was Afrofuturism, which is my true love.

As always, I love hearing from you. Share with me in the comments. Let’s connect on Instagram and Twitter.

January 11, 2020
Why Does Technology Steal All My Time

In a world where immediate satisfaction is almost faster than the speed of light and privacy is a joke from a 1990s comedy, are our lives better with technology and social media? Or better yet, do you really think what you think? Or is it a product of what you are consuming?

Whenever another headline is published announcing a data leak, bulk password breach, or digital ownership rights, I always wonder if we are really using technology to the best of its ability. Don’t get me wrong, I am not about to advocate for banning smart phones and/or the internet. Rather, I want to discuss how we can use these powerful tools to further enhance our lives in a positive way.

Take for instance the film and book The Circle. I will admit I have only seen the movie, props to Tom Hanks and Emma Watson. That story is set in the not so distance future where your entire existence is attached to a cloud server for everyone to interact with. One of the messages the characters were debating was whether transparency is true democracy or just creepy. I feel that depends on what the information is being used for. Scrolling through someone’s feed cannot substitute active communication with the person when you are trying to get to know them. Neither is scrolling through meme’s and videos for hours at a time the most productive use of your time. So, how do we improve this?

Social media is a great tool to reach more people and ideas then you would without it. Take it as an introduction to the person or idea. As you consume information about people, events, culture, and news, take the time to develop what you think about what you are seeing. How do you feel after watching that clip? What do you already know about that topic? If you were having a discussion with that person or about that topic, what would you contribute? Make an effort to look beyond the sound bites and the viral comments.

Privacy and social media is also an interesting balance. The way things are going, it seems like we only have two choices: one, make every effort possible to remain off the grid by living in an underground laboratory, or, two, accept that every aspect of your life is accessible for entertainment and capitalism purposes. Not much of a balance, is it? I remember there was a time when my friends and I would freak out if we searched for our name on Google and there was one search result that showed some obscure web page from a newspaper or school post. Now, it is common for private information that the Yellow Pages never listed to be accessible with a click or small subscription. Is that a big deal? If we are not all members of a secret ninja society, should we care if this information is floating around? I still find it concerning.

What does this mean for networking and opportunities? Even if you do choose to make your social media accounts private or under alternative names, does the overload of private information help or hinder your prospects? Does it create more biases or openness? Ideally, it should give us space to be more inclusive. If you are building a team you want to be proud of, it could make sense to know what everyone’s opinions, struggles, passions, and dreams are to better understand how everyone will grow within what you are building. To better understand how to push it forward.

Ok, let’s get back to using social media as a positive tool. I love that Twitter now has a bookmark feature. It is better than messaging myself links to things I want to take the time to indulge in later. One of things I finally got a chance to see is Alex Wolf’s mini-documentary “Attention for Sale.” As she spoke about how advertising and technology continues to influence our attention span, rapid clips of various pop culture history flashed across the screen. I find it fascinating to take note of how social media continues to influence human and consumer behavior, which Alex did a wonderful job breaking down. If you have not seen it yet, you should definitely check it out. I love how she concluded with, “we are people of the heart living in a world made for the eyes.”

Do you notice how normal it has become to have everyone and everything pushing for your attention? How difficult it is to decipher between distractions? How naked and anxious you feel when you forget or lose your phone? This goes back to paying attention to how you feel. Maintain the autonomy of your opinions and emotions.

Now, time management. Why does it feel like we have less time in a day? That is because a lot of our time is unaccounted for. Can you honestly pinpoint what you did with your time in the hour before you started reading this post? What about this morning? What about yesterday between 2:15pm and 3:21pm? What about last week? When I hear people complain about time or ask for advice on how to better manage their time, I always respond asking them what is their relationship with time. Most would say they feel time slipping from them or imposing restraints on them.

When it comes to your relationship with time, I feel it is better to view it as something you flow with. As in, you are in control of what you choose to do. The timing of how things happen is what you need to trust. If you choose to use your time sitting instead of running, can you really say time is slipping from you? If everyone is supposed to focus on the speed of their race in their lane, what determines when you choose to sit and when you choose to sprint?

Among other things, technology can be part of it. Maybe you are comparing your chapter 3 to someone else’s chapter 34 on social media. Maybe binge watching certain shows encourages you to remain in your comfort zone. Maybe playing certain video games takes your mind off of boredom or loneliness. Maybe swiping through profiles tricks you into feeling you are making progress. Maybe participating in trolling debates convinces you that you think for yourself. How are you holding yourself accountable?

I feel the key is to stay grounded. Get clear on what you want to accomplish and where you want to go. Keep an open mind as you explore new perspectives and connect to new people. Direct your time. Feel free to use some of your time to rest, to sprint, to delegate, to give, to receive, and anything else you might need. Technology is not the enemy. It really should be the tool that pushes our evolution further and enhances our reality.

So, what is your relationship with technology and social media? How is it enhancing or hindering your time management and overall lifestyle? I would love to hear from you. Let me know in the comments.

Also, remember to connect with me on Instagram and Twitter. I would love to hear from you.

October 19, 2019