The Executive Chairman of KGL Group and Board Chairman of Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) has conveyed that Ghanaian and African diasporans in general to change their mindset for the better.
Alex Dadey, who has spent the majority of his life in England and is an advocate for diasporans’ inclusion, entreated Ghanaians on the need to uphold values, integrity, and honesty.
“Having contributed significantly to companies in London and various other countries, my business partners and I returned to Ghana to recreate our achievements.
“Our understanding of the Ghanaian market, derived from our clients in the country, emphasised the importance of upholding values, integrity, and honesty.
“These virtues often become scarce commodities in the Ghanaian business landscape, especially when engaging in international dealings,” he noted in an interview on Personality Profile with Lexis Bill on Thursday, October 19.
According to Mr. Dadey, one challenge unique to diasporans, unlike foreigners, is that they often enter Ghana with the assumption that the Ghanaian mentality aligns seamlessly with their own.
However, it’s crucial for diasporans to recognise the need for accommodation and understand that expectations may differ from reality, unlike the openness demonstrated by foreigners who readily accept local ways of life.
“One of the problems that the diasporans face which foreigners don’t is that foreigners come into Ghana with the mindset that, the mindset of a Ghanaian is very different from theirs but the diasporans come with expectations that things have to work the way they work in London with a developed economy.
“This is a developing economy so you have to make room, be accommodative and live with it even though there are challenges.”
“While facing challenges, it’s essential to adapt and embrace the nuances of a developing economy, rather than expecting it to mirror the dynamics of a developed one like London,” Mr. Dadey added.
The Man of the Year at the 8th EMY Africa Awards, Mr Dadey said Ghanaians have diverse approaches to getting things done.
“We (Ghanaians) have a distinct perspective on things and methods of operation, but if we aspire to work on an international scale, as I have, there is room for improvement.
“This is why those of us who have grasped alternative approaches must step in and introduce them, fostering collaborative efforts with the local community to achieve success.”
