Migration of educated youth worrying – Yamson

MANAGING Partner at Yamson and Associates, Mr. Harry Yamson, has issued a stern warning over the growing migration of Ghana’s skilled and educated youth, calling it a serious challenge that requires immediate government and private sector intervention.

In a paper he authored on the issue, Mr Yamson highlighted the complex factors driving this exodus and emphasized the urgent need for strategic policies to mitigate the adverse effects on the Ghanaian economy.

Emigration trends and skills distribution among Ghanaian youth

Citing data from KNOMAD, Mr. Yamson underscored that Ghana’s top destination countries for emigrants include the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany.

“The U.S. and U.K. alone attract roughly 9,000 young Ghanaians annually, with Canada and Germany following closely,” he noted. These emigrants are often highly skilled, with many pursuing careers in fields like information technology, healthcare, and engineering.

“In the United States, 25% of Ghanaian youth are engaged in IT, 20% in healthcare, and 15% in engineering. Meanwhile, the U.K. sees a higher concentration in healthcare and finance,” Mr. Yamson explained.

Germany, which attracts a significant number of engineers and IT specialists, contrasts with countries like Italy and the Netherlands, where more Ghanaians are employed in lower-skilled sectors such as agriculture and services.

This imbalance in the skills distribution has severe consequences for Ghana. “The brain drain is causing a critical shortage of professionals in key industries like healthcare and technology, limiting innovation and growth,” Mr. Yamson warned. He stressed that retaining such talent is crucial for the country’s development.

Impact on Business and the Economy

The migration of skilled workers is not just a social issue but an economic one, affecting both the private sector and public institutions. Mr. Yamson highlighted the challenges businesses face in finding qualified professionals to fill important roles, especially in industries crucial to Ghana’s future, such as technology and healthcare. “Companies are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit talent locally, which is stifling growth and innovation,” he said.

Moreover, he drew attention to the ripple effect this migration has on public services, particularly in sectors like education and health, where the loss of professionals undermines the country’s ability to meet basic needs. “The private sector is grappling with this loss of talent, but the public sector, especially healthcare, is suffering even more,” he emphasized.

Global Trends and Political Factors Driving Emigration

In explaining the global context of migration, Mr. Yamson referenced a recent report by The Economist, which shows how political and economic instability can drive skilled workers to seek better opportunities abroad. He compared Ghana’s current situation with that of countries like India and China, which have successfully turned emigration into a strategic advantage. “These countries have managed to leverage their talent migration to gain technology, expertise, and long-term economic benefits,” he explained.

However, Ghana’s experience differs significantly. Political instability, corruption, and economic challenges are pushing young, educated Ghanaians to leave, with little being done to retain or bring back this talent. “Unlike countries that benefit from their diaspora’s expertise and remittances, Ghana is losing more than it gains from this migration pattern,” Mr. Yamson stated.

He pointed to examples in Europe, such as the United Kingdom’s post-Brexit landscape, where migration has become a response to political uncertainty. “Many skilled workers are leaving the U.K. for other EU countries, but at least there is a structured plan for skills acquisition and economic integration,” he noted. In contrast, Ghana lacks a comprehensive strategy to address its youth migration crisis.

Call for Strategic Policies to Retain and Leverage Talent

To address this growing problem, Mr. Yamson called for urgent government action and collaboration with the private sector to create a conducive environment for skilled youth to remain in Ghana. He suggested that a multi-faceted approach, focused on education, healthcare, infrastructure, and entrepreneurship, would help reverse the current trend.

“Investing in education and job creation is key,” he said, adding that improving local employment prospects and enhancing political stability would go a long way in retaining talent. Furthermore, Mr. Yamson stressed the importance of fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem to encourage young professionals to build careers and businesses in Ghana, rather than seeking opportunities abroad.

Additionally, he emphasized the need for policies that make it easier for the Ghanaian diaspora to return and contribute to the country’s development. “We must create opportunities for our youth abroad to return home with the skills and expertise they have acquired, just as China and India have done with their diaspora populations,” Mr. Yamson explained.

Conclusion

Mr. Yamson reiterated the urgency of addressing youth migration, warning that the consequences could be dire if left unchecked. “If we do not act now, Ghana will continue to lose its brightest minds, and our economy will struggle to keep up with global competition,” he said. He called for a national dialogue on the issue, urging the government, private sector, and civil society to come together to create long-term solutions that will secure a prosperous future for the country. “The stakes are high, and the time to act is now,” Mr. Yamson concluded.