African countries have been urged to put in place favourable conditions capable of retaining their skilled citizens who choose to work abroad.
The Programme Director of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), Dr Joseph Darmoe, who said this, indicated that this could be done through the adoption of strategic and coordinated policies to support the reintegration of returning migrants and leverage their skills for national development.
He said this at a breakfast meeting on the theme: “Coming home, brain grain or frustration?”
He explained that return migration was a complex process influenced by individual, family and macroeconomic factors, as well as the policy environment in both host and home countries.
Dr Darmoe emphasised that when managed effectively, return migration could enhance knowledge transfer, boost entrepreneurship and strengthen public institutions, adding that “without enabling conditions, countries risk losing the developmental potential of skilled citizens who chose to remain abroad”.
Dr Darmoe said limited employment opportunities, poor working conditions, low salaries and weak institutional support continued to discourage skilled Africans from returning home after studying or working abroad.
He added that many returnees faced challenges such as a mismatch between their expertise and available jobs, poor infrastructure, high cost of living, unreliable electricity supply and inadequate social services.
Those conditions, he said, often led to frustration and underutilisation of valuable human capital that could contribute significantly to Africa's growth.
"To transform brain drains into an opportunity for growth, Ghana and Africa should implement strategic policies that harness brain circulation for innovation, economic progress and sustainable development," Dr Darmoe said.
KAS Ghana Country Representative, Anna Wasserfall, underscored the importance of dialogue and collaboration in addressing migration and development challenges.
She said the forum was designed to bring together young professionals, policymakers, academics and civil society actors to discuss key issues shaping Ghana's present and future.
Advancement
A cybersecurity expert, Kwame Oduro Numapau, echoed the call for returnees to use their global exposure to drive Africa’s technological advancement.
“Come back home and let’s build,” he urged.
He stated that Africa’s youthful population and digital potential are key assets for the continent’s future competitiveness.
