Ablakwa plans to turn "Brain Drain" into "Brain Gain" through bilateral agreements
Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister-designate, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has unveiled a plan to tackle the country’s persistent brain drain while addressing the critical issue of unemployment.
Speaking before the Appointments Committee of Parliament, he revealed that under his leadership, the government intends to forge strategic bilateral agreements with Western countries that would allow Ghanaian professionals and artisans to seek employment abroad, benefiting both the individuals and the nation as a whole.
Mr. Ablakwa described the current wave of migration, particularly among skilled Ghanaians, as a challenge that can be transformed into a significant economic opportunity.
He proposed formalising this migration process through mutually beneficial agreements with foreign nations, which he believes could provide Ghanaian workers with lucrative opportunities while simultaneously easing the country’s unemployment crisis.
"We are witnessing a growing number of Ghanaians migrating in search of employment opportunities, but we must regulate this migration to make it a win-win situation for all parties involved," Mr. Ablakwa explained.
He added that "Through targeted economic diplomacy, we will establish bilateral agreements that provide Ghanaian professionals and artisans with the chance to work in countries with labour shortages."
He stressed that the foreign ministry would make the issue of brain drain a top priority. He envisions transforming what has traditionally been seen as an economic challenge into a growth opportunity by turning "brain drain" into "brain gain."
He asserted that, under his leadership, the ministry would use foreign policy to create jobs for the country’s youth by providing them with the chance to work abroad.
“Expect that one of our key priorities will be to tackle unemployment through foreign policy. We will ensure that brain drain becomes brain gain, by establishing partnerships that bring employment opportunities for our young people,” he said.
Drawing inspiration from countries like Cuba and Indonesia, which have successfully used foreign labour agreements to boost their economies, Mr. Ablakwa said Ghana has the potential to emulate these models.
He pointed out that strategic foreign policy decisions could be the key to providing Ghanaians with the opportunity to work in foreign markets while simultaneously contributing to the national economy.
“Countries like Cuba and Indonesia have effectively turned labour migration into a benefit for their economies through bilateral agreements. We can do the same, ensuring that Ghana’s skilled workers are able to contribute both at home and abroad,” he said.