Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister-designate, has outlined a strategy to address the country’s ongoing brain drain by leveraging bilateral agreements with Western nations. Speaking before the Appointments Committee of Parliament, Ablakwa emphasized the potential benefits of formalizing migration through such agreements, with the goal of exporting Ghanaian professionals to work abroad in a regulated and mutually beneficial manner.

“Migration in search of employment is a reality, but we must ensure that it is structured to benefit the country,” Ablakwa said. “Under my leadership, we will aggressively pursue economic diplomacy, seeking bilateral agreements that will not only regulate this migration but also tackle our unemployment crisis.”

Ablakwa argued that many countries are in need of Ghanaian professionals and skilled workers, particularly in fields where there is a shortage. By capitalizing on this demand, he believes the country could turn its current brain drain into a “brain gain.” He cited the experiences of nations like Cuba and Indonesia, which have successfully used strategic foreign policy and labor export agreements to address their own domestic challenges.

Should he be confirmed, Ablakwa vowed to prioritize this issue, positioning it as a key component of Ghana’s foreign policy to generate job opportunities for the nation’s youth. “One of our main priorities will be to use foreign policy to solve unemployment,” he added, stressing that such agreements could create jobs while alleviating the negative effects of brain drain.

Ablakwa’s proposal signals a shift in approach, aiming to harness Ghana’s human capital for economic advantage while addressing long-standing issues of youth unemployment.

Source:TheDotNews