For The Love of Roots

I was so sorry to read in The NY Times about the tragic loss of noted author, Chimamanda Adichie's, son, while receiving medical care in Nigeria. I enjoy her work and can only imagine the depth of her grief.🙏🏿

Can we discuss, however, how is it that we have so many successful Nigerian doctors in the US when the need for even basic medical care is so great in their own country?

Show me a Nigerian who will not boast about how proud s/he is to be Nigerian, how they are the strongest, most capable, most intelligent, and most confident of certainly all African people, perhaps people in general. So, how is it that they don't stay or return to Nigeria to develop it into a great place to live and work so that when one does fall gravely ill, they are not scrambling to get to the UK, US, Canada, or the like, for care?

I love Dr. Patrick Awuah, a Ghanaian who studied and obtained tremendous wealth in America, who went back to Ghana and started Asheshi University. He put his money and his commitment where his mouth was. He said he could not, in good conscience, live in the US in the lap of luxury knowing that basic necessities were non-existent in his own country. So he packed up and went back to Ghana and started the university. Students who attend Asheshi, pledge to reside in Ghana and use their talents to build that nation, not another. How commendable! I had the pleasure of touring Asheshi during my stay in Ghana. It is a beautiful campus. My hat is off to Dr. Awuah for realizing his dream. 

Some years ago, while living in Ghana, I had the pleasure of meeting a father and son while dining in a local restaurant. Dressed in matching outfits, they were adorable. I struck up a conversation with the father who let me know that Little Kwame was born in Reston, Virginia. I think he thought, as an American, I would be impressed at his announcement. He went on to explain that Little Kwame, when he reached the age of majority, would return as a citizen to the United States and attend the university of his choosing.

I asked if, when Little Kwame became a lawyer, a doctor, or an Indian Chief, would he remain in the US and contribute to that economy or would he return to develop Ghana. The father chuckled and gave a look of amusement at my question, and said, of course he would remain in the United States. To which I responded, then I am not impressed. I offered that Kwame should not stay in the US, but that he should return to Ghana with his new skills, to support the nation and the economy that had reared and educated him such that he was able to be accepted to a school of his choosing in the United States.

Seeming to understand my position, the father went on to share with me an African parable, if you will, that says if his grandfather, who died 100 years ago, should awake, he would have no problem finding his way back home. Translation, not much has changed in Ghana. Not much will change in Ghana, Nigeria, and similar nations, as long as their best and the brightest fail to return.

I know it's not as easy as I imply, especially for those who perhaps are not first generation immigrants or those who have become accustomed to a whole other lifestyle. I do understand the dynamics of such a decision. Many argue that monies earned abroad, afford them to take care of a families back home. But what about the nation?

While living in Ghana I also met other Ghanaians who did return to Ghana and started businesses to employ their own people, to build their own nation. Some of them reported feeling and being treated like expats in their own land. I appreciate and deeply respect that they are still there, still doing their part. Call it a deep recognition that self-preservation is the product of nation preservation, as is actively being modeled in Burkina Faso and neighboring countries of which I am immensely proud.

I remember having a discussion with a Haitian friend in the US who explained to me that I didn't understand the implications of how hard it would be to go back to Haiti, especially given the politics. I countered that I didn't think she understood or appreciated that the lifestyle she enjoys in the US did not come without much pain and much suffering. The sacrifices made and the struggle endured by Black Americans is unprecedented, unmatched, and sadly unknown to or respected by, far too many immigrants who enjoy hard won civil rights currently being dismantled in America.

I will continue to question persons from developing countries who don't return as did Dr. Awuah and others, especially those who judge Black Americans while enjoying the fruit of our struggle allowing that they live and prosper in this country while failing to physically support, live in, or develop, the homeland they "love".

Again, my heart bleeds for Ms. Adichie's loss. It is my prayer that some good might result from this very tragic and public loss experienced by such a high profile person. Perhaps her tragedy will bring attention to the need for provision of even basic professional services in Nigeria and other developing nations compelling migrants from said countries to physically [re]commit to taking care of home first, which is where all charity should begin...

~ Miss Higgi Says

Famed Nigerian Author Blames Death of Toddler Son on Negligent Care 

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/world/africa/nigeria-adichie-son-death-blame.html