Towards maximising skilled migration for development in Ghana. (2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bembir, Peter; Yeboah, Thomas; Arhin, Albert A.
• Is Part Of: International journal of migration and residential mobility. Volume 1:Number 3(2016)
• Page Start: 233
• Page End: 252
• Publication Date: 2016
• Subjects: health migration -- development -- skilled workers -- nurses -- Ghana -- remittances -- brain drain -- brain gain -- health professionals; Migration, Internal -- Economic aspects -- Periodicals; Emigration and immigration -- Economic aspects -- Periodicals; Emigration and immigration -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Migration, Internal -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Residential mobility -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Residential mobility -- Economic aspects -- Periodicals; 304.805
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2051-6800

Abstract

The debate about whether health professionals' migration impact positively or negatively on sending societies' development has resurfaced in the migration-development nexus. While some argue that health professionals' migration partly account for underdevelopment in many developing societies, others forcefully maintain that it is a major breakthrough for development. In this paper, we argue that rather than viewing health migration as either a gain or loss, African governments could take proactive actions to minimise the loss while also maximising the gains. Using Ghana as an example, we propose for the establishment of a dedicated institution that will proactively seek to ensure that the country maximises its gains from health migration. We further outline four main functions that should be the focus of such a dedicated institution.