Brain Drain not all doom and gloom- Tsatsu Tsikata

Accra, Ghana - Renowned lawyer and scholar, Tsatsu Tsikata, has offered a fresh perspective on the exodus of Ghanaians seeking greener pastures, commonly referred to as brain drain.

Speaking at the 14th Leadership Dialogue organised by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), Tsikata argued that while the phenomenon poses challenges, it also presents significant economic opportunities that can be harnessed for national development.

Tsikata highlighted the substantial contributions of Ghana's diaspora community, particularly in terms of foreign exchange inflows and overall economic potential, citing these as enormous economic benefits.

He emphasized that rather than dwelling on the loss of talents and skills, Ghana should focus on leveraging the positives of brain drain.

“In my mind, yes there is a brain drain, and some people are desperate to leave the country, and this is not the first time people have left the country in droves. It has happened before,'' he stated.

“So I don’t spend too much time worrying about the fact that there is that brain drain and pressure on some young people who think they need to move on. This is because I sense an opportunity in this.” 

“The Ghanaians in the diaspora have a certain relationship with Ghana that can be cultivated because it is economically valuable.”

“When you look at the amount of remittances that are sent by Ghanaians abroad, in terms of foreign exchange, it usually exceeds any of these natural resources that we export.” 

“Let’s look at the fact that we can harness the resource value that comes from their being there,” he added.

This viewpoint diverges from the sentiments of many professional bodies, which have been lamenting the loss of experienced staff and calling for remedial measures.

Tsikata's stance encourages a shift in perspective, urging the nation to look beyond its losses and explore ways to capitalize on the economic potential of its diaspora community.

Source : Lead News Online