I understand what you're trying to get at, but consider that most under-developed countries fail not because of talent shortage, but because of systemic problem

I understand what you're trying to get at, but consider that most under-developed countries fail not because of talent shortage, but because of systemic problems that prevent them from harnessing the talent that they do have. The author is an excellent example of this. If he had stayed in Ghana, he would have never received the education that he needs to fulfill his potential. He would have gone through his entire life, a shadow of the person that he's capable of being. Thankfully, because he was lucky enough to fall in love with an American citizen, he was able to come here and turn his life around. If he now uses even a fraction of talents and future income to help his home country, he would already make more of a difference than if he had stayed in Ghana his whole life.