Brain drain: Ghana must create jobs and retain skilled workers – Policy Strategist

Policy strategist and researcher Marie-Noelle Nwokolo has urged Ghana to create more employment opportunities and align education with industry needs to stem the migration of skilled professionals.

She said the country must build an economy that rewards talent and provides young people with opportunities to develop their careers locally.

Ms Nwokolo made the remarks at the fifth Nyansa Dialogue, organised by the Nyansa Institute for Strategic Dialogue at the Tomreik Hotel in Accra on Friday, October 30.

Speaking on how Ghana can retain skilled workers while benefiting from the expertise of its diaspora, she described brain drain as an opportunity problem.

“At the core, I would say that brain drain is fundamentally an opportunity problem. Skilled people will always move to where their capabilities are rewarded most,” she said.

She urged the government and private sector to support local businesses to grow and expand their operations to create jobs for skilled workers.

She also called for stronger links between education, technical and vocational training, and the skills required by Ghanaian industries.

“The point of going to school is not just to go to school; it is to be able to have the skills that we need as a nation to do the things that we need,” she added.

Ms Nwokolo further urged Ghana to develop arrangements that allow professionals working abroad to return periodically to train local workers and share their expertise.

She said the country must also find ways to channel remittances into productive investments to support economic growth.

The dialogue, which focused on how Ghana can protect its economic prosperity amid global strategic competition, also featured economist Emmanuel Amoah-Darkwah.