Brain drain and its associated effects on the economy of Ghana

Abstract

This paper looks at the effects of brain drain on the Ghanaian economy. Il is a reflective study based on the premise that brain drain has a negative effect on the Ghanaian economy. It is based on exploratory studies in Ghana, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Malaysia, a literature review and a tracking of contemporary events from professionals from the public sector of Ghana, most especially the health sector. Data gathered were subjected to reflective analysis with an outcome which revealed that even though brain drain from Ghana has negative connotations on the public sector because of loss of vital human resources from Ghana to other countries, there are however some associated benefits to Ghanaian households and firms. The benefits include improvement in labor resources, reduction of poverty; financial deepening through remittances repatriated back home and improvement in macroeconomic effects through foreign exchange rates. It was revealed that both the sending and receiving countries of the 'brains' could strategize to derive mutual benefits.