We Can Gain From Brain Drain Tsatsu Tsikata

Renowned lawyer and scholar, Tsatsu Tsikata believes the exodus of Ghanaians to seek greener pastures (brain drain) is not all gloom but has great economic positives that need to be harnessed for national development.

According to Tsatsu, the contributions of Ghana’s diaspora community, particularly regarding foreign exchange inflows and the overall economic potential are of enormous economic benefits.

Speaking at the 14th Leadership Dialogue organised by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), Mr Tsikata said rather than brooding over the obstacles such mass movements have caused, including the loss of talents, Ghana should be looking to the positives.

Many professional bodies have been lamenting the loss of experienced staff to brain drain and have called for remedial measures, however Mr. Tsikata says the nation cannot be counting only its loss.

“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.

“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 chance in this,” he said.


Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy