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MUST READ: Do We Have The Right To Keep Complaining About Brain Drain?

Brain Drain
Brain Drain

This is a topic you hear too much about, if you came up through the Ghanaian education system. From the little I can remember, it refers to the practice where Ghanaians leave the country to apply their professional expertise elsewhere, to the supposed detriment of the country.

Growing up we couldn’t hear enough of it, and it was impressed upon us what a bad practice that was, and how it contributes to our lack of development in many ways. The logic being that if these Ghanaians with these skills where practicing elsewhere, the improvement they would have brought to the nation is then lost.

With the turn our fortunes have taken within the past few years (for the worse), I have lately been thinking about this supposed brain drain. Ghana has become so terrible for the ordinary person to live in; I’ve been wondering if it is such a terrible thing to think about having an escape into a foreign country?

My friends and I often joke that if we had the chance, we’d stowaway on any ship at the port, and accept wherever we landed so long as it’s not Ghana. Sure it’s a joke, but I feel it has a fundamental truth at its core. With the way things are shaping up in Ghana, I’m pretty sure there are millions of others telling this same joke as my friends and I.

The cost of living keeps ricocheting up, especially if you live in Accra. ‘Dumsor’ has made staying in your own house something you dread. There is little trust from the public in our public institutions; the police, parliament etc. It might sound like a cliché, but things are so bad in Ghana now people are actually getting used to the terrible conditions.

In such a situation, is it so bad to wish to jump ship if you get the chance? Or you owe it to your country to stay, especially if you have some skill, and try to make a change to the system as best as you know how?

This was an argument that flared up in my office the other day, when I said I have no hope in Ghana’s future, and would jump to the other side the first chance I get. Another gentleman was appalled that anyone could have such a mentality; both in being ready to abandon the country but also the belief that Ghana has no hope as a country.

I suppose how hot the country is depends on where you’re standing, but on average we can agree Ghana is hot indeed (Figuratively, of course). If you had a skill that could make a difference to the future of this country, no matter how small, what do you do? Do you stay and work, unappreciated and poorly reimbursed due to a sense of loyalty and patriotism? Or you join the plethora of others who have already jumped to the other side?

When you are running an almost failed state, do you have the right to complain about brain drain?



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3 thoughts on “MUST READ: Do We Have The Right To Keep Complaining About Brain Drain?”

  1. The truth is many educated and well meaning Ghanaians will go back in a heartbeat to help rebuild the country. Which will be reverse of brain drain. The problem is with those arrogant, ignorant, son-of-bit*hes left behind at home who despite their inferior knowledge and agbobloshie education are not prepared to step aside for the true experts(expertise acquired abroad) to help. They are so wicked they’ll rather see something go to waste rather than step aside for those with expertise to step in. Their pitiful ego, which is used chase little skirts in Ghana, cannot handle the truth. So to impress a little piece of ass, he’ll keep fronting and pretend that he’s still on top of his game. In my visit last month a friend lost his mum at Korle Bu. I went to see the woman the night before she passed away. The woman had swollen feet so I asked the doctor on call what was problem. He only answered because of my accent and they way I looked. According to my friend had I spoken with a Ghanaian accent and looked Ghanaian he wouldn’t have answered. He told me they suspect pulmonary hypertension. I asked what sort medication she was on and he told me they were doing tests. Now note that this woman has been seeing these doctors for two years. Two years of no proper diagnosis. I called an Israeli colleague of mine back in Canada and ask him to check with his brother – a medical doctor. Within two hours Jonathan, the doctor, had picked a drug for her. I told the doctor about it and he agreed. We rushed to movenpick pharmacy to pick up the medication and brought it back to Korle bu. Only to be told they need to do more tests on the liver of the woman. So the drugs were not given to her. The next morning she died. Pissed off as I was, the fact dawned on me. Even when it comes to your life, the systems is so bad they’ll rather you die. Before I left Ghana, I got a phone call from the doctor stating that he’s got a new patient with similar symptoms and that he’s going to prescribe the same medication for her. He was wondering if I could sell him what I bought for my friend’s mum. I told him to contact my friend. That tells you a lot about what’s going on in Ghana. Lots of guess work and google searches for even doctors. The other bad part is the infusion of religion into medicine. A doctor can just ignore doing any research on a patient because it is in gods hands.
    Reverse drain can happen but only if the know nothings will step aside and let the experts in. Even the political parties have the same problem and operate the same way. Party affiliation before expertise. How is Omane Boamah a minister of communication when he’s done nothing in the IT/communication sector? Would he step aside for Nartey Sapor a Dutch educated IT/communication expert? Fat chance. So next time anyone screams brain drain, tell them the problem stems from the stupidity and ignorance of Ghanaians at home. Someone should tell them having a stay at home Ghanaian in charge of things doesn’t translate to better value

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  2. Nice article and nice comment Manasseh,when we were a young we heard similar preaching on brain drain.Just let’s take institutions like GES,SSNIT,GCB…just to name a few and let’s access them.I know for a fact that in this institutions the older generation have imposed their authority to the extent that some of them even refuse to retire by reducing their ages.Apart from that this old oligarchs will never accept a younger one promoted over them even if his or her qualification is higher or an expert.Ethnocentrism and nepotism is the watch word in these institutions.I know one of the above institutions is managed more like a family bizness. Father to son and to grandson.You can be an expert but they care less,who do you know?whats your family name and ties? Until we address all these problems hmm we have a long way to go.Go to BOG,GNPC….how many round files are in square holes?Also in some of this big institutions you will make it there as an expert but I be you wouldn’t last long.They will pull you down,you will become an enemy or worse see your only grave.Thats why some of us will continue hiding wherever we find ourselves,if only you want to live long enough to see your grand kids.

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  3. i read this article and i just heaved a sign of relief. Cuz at last, i know there are people who have d gut to tell simple truths and a brain devoid of all toxins n toxics that can clearly hit nails right on the head . Few years ago, i had the opportunity to send a comment to hard talk on bbc on the effect of western countries on Africa. To cut a short story long, i drew their attention to the fact that most Africans and especially my country Ghana wished slave trade will be reintroduced and that if a ship docks at anywhere to take slaves to the usa , people will punch others to get in.
    as bizarre and “unrealistic” as my argument sounded to them i believe it still holds so much water than the special ice well at akuapem. LOL. D truth is always bitter they say. Right now, i can count at least 4 friends of mins who went abroad for studies international expertly in oil and gas, petroleum engineering, etc who returned home only to realise returning was their biggest mistake . Now , some are in Trinidad and Tobago, UAE,etc. Sad!

    Reply

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