The Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has told the government and all other stakeholders to create an enabling environment in the country for young graduates and professionals to remain and work to grow the economy.
He lamented the growing rate at which Ghanaian professionals, especially nurses and teachers are exiting the country to seek better opportunities abroad.
The Asantehene indicated that if this phenomenon remains unchecked it poses a huge threat to the future of the nation.
Speaking at the 57th congregation of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology on Friday, November 24, he said “Our country is facing enormous challenges that demand our immediate attention and collective action, from the economy to the environment, climate change and the exodus of professionals in the health and educational sectors. We must wholeheartedly recognize the need to unite in our quest to ensure sustainable solutions for the betterment of our nation.
“One of the most current challenges confronting our nation is the pervasive phenomenon known as brain drain. It is without a doubt a disheartening spectacle to bear witness to the substantial exodus of our health professionals, teachers, and graduates, all departing our shores in pursuit of more promising opportunities abroad. This exodus at its core resembles a modern form of colonization where the very minds and intellect that ought to nurture and lead our nation are choosing to depart, driven by their need of seemingly more fertile grounds elsewhere.
“While it is important to acknowledge that human migration is not inherently negative, it is equally crucial to recognize that if this phenomenon remains unchecked, it poses a huge threat to the future of our nation.
“The departure of our potential leaders and talents who should be actively contributing to the growth and development of our country raises a formidable challenge, we must collectively work to transform our country into an enticing and compelling destination for our youths, a place where they have unshaken faith in their capacity to thrive and succeed.
“To achieve this, I call upon the government and all stakeholders in education to embark upon innovative strategies aimed at retaining and harnessing the potential of our young grates, so please let’s stay here and work.”
Brain drain within the health sector is a major concern. Quite recently, the President of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA), Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo has admitted that brain drain in the health sector is having a negative impact on healthcare delivery in Ghana.
She has therefore called for an urgent intervention to ensure that this matter is resolved.
She explained that experienced nurses who would have been training newly recruited nurses are the ones leaving the shores of Ghana to seek better working conditions elsewhere.
Madam Ofori-Ampofo indicated that the nurses want an environment that will help them in their career progression, further studies, and also better salaries and remunerations hence, their decision to travel outside the country to pursue these interests.
Speaking to TV3 in an interview on Thursday, July 13, she said “Indeed, it is a worrying trend that we are all experiencing, our nurses are leaving the shores of Ghana and they are seeking to work in better work environments and earn better salaries and.
“It is their right and we cannot stop them but the truth of the matter is that as much as they are leaving it is having a toll on health service delivery in Ghana. The truth is those that are leaving are those that are well experienced, with many years of experience. Even if we are going to recruit new personnel, these are the very people who would have trained them, so their leaving is a big issue,” she said.