Features
Gaining through the brain drain
A little over a decade past and attracted by the inspiring words of a popular Methodist hymn, I decided to take a quick glance through the Apocrypha.
It was during such a time that I discovered that the saying, “Travel and see” was boldly written therein. Today’s society often sees the idea of travelling as an issue that leads to a drain on one’s financial and human resources. But the very pertinent question is this; Could we gain through that drain?
If properly planned for, we can substantially gain good lessons as a result of much travelling. An overflow of travelling chances could be very useful as well as advantageous in terms of the wealth of experience an individual would acquire having made good use of such moments.
Presently, there are so many complaints of congestion on our roads as far as the capital city of Ghana, Accra, is concerned. Often there is congestion at our hospitals too and the case is similar at most public places. Our nation hitherto had been thinking about how to encourage its people about settling in less populated places, villages and towns in this country.
Organisational establishments could also serve as a catalyst in aiding this process by granting holiday benefits to their staff during their annual leave periods. The rationale behind this should be that of facilitating an easier means for various members of staff to travel outside the towns where they reside to spend their leave in unfamiliar regions of this country.
Someone has also said that our hospitals must not only be upgraded as concerns the existing infrastructure and amenities but should be expanded in terms of number. A blessed country like Ghana could be thinking of erecting an ultra-modern hospital facility close to the hub of the nation at a location like Berekuso (along the Accra-Aburi road), or possibly at an attractive position along the Accra-Nsawam road.
This project, if need be, would carry the prime objective of providing expert services to diplomats both foreign and national, the prominent people –VIPs- within this country whilst at the same time caring for the health needs of the townsfolk. Patients with less severe ill-health cases could obtain referral letters to such an institution.
The benefits of this design would be great not excluding lessening the burden on the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and the 37 Military Hospital, attracting the country’s citizens in the urban areas to move and settle in any of these areas, combined with banking and financial institutions setting up offices there to boost businesses.
It is rather unfortunate that most influential people here with us in our society this very hour, allow the thought of placing blockades of discouragement in the paths of people with expert knowledge travelling beyond our dear nation to indwell their minds. They mostly call this idea “Brain Drain” and would, without hesitation, cite the health profession as an instance.
The expression “Brain Drain” should not be heard of or mentioned as far as Ghana in particular and Africa in general are concerned. It is true that the country spends so much training few medical professionals and is eager to earn adequate proceeds from this venture.
Never should we feel perplexed or extremely worried when, having trained experts in one profession or another, these people with expertise decide to travel outside our country to elsewhere with the good intention of working there to gain success or experience.
We must endeavour to make maximum use of all the experts we have in this country currently and go beyond this target to train and equip many more people who are yearning to learn to obtain reputable accreditation in a particular discipline or another. Have we ever wondered if it were feasibly possible to run a night shift in training medical students since some hospitals do work throughout the night?
Next, our educational system should be enhanced to attract many foreigners to come into our country to study and achieve international recognition should they plan to work after their studies in this nation or in any other nation.
Then, we must build in the hearts of our present youth a strong never-dying love for Ghana to such an extent that whether they go out of this country for further studies or to work, they would always be thinking of their possible return and how they could express their thanks to their motherland.
There is wisdom in doing good and in showing kindness to human. Let us therefore, continue to assist our people in any way we could.
By Ebenezer K N Baiden-Amissah
Indeed, numerous Ghanaians across the regions, all over Africa, and even people from other parts of the world were struck with sadness and grief upon hearing the sudden passing of the former First Lady of Ghana, Her Excellency Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, which occurred on the black day of Thursday, October 23, 2025.
Very often, it is difficult to believe the death of very high-profile persons in our communities, country, and even across the world, as recently witnessed in the passing of this indefatigable leader.
Former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings was the better half of the indomitable former President of Ghana, His Excellency, the late Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, who ruled Ghana for a record period of 18 years.
His Excellency Jerry John Rawlings, alongside his able men like Osahene Boakye Gyan, Akatapore, and other young army officers, shook the political foundations of this country for a brief period from June 4 to the end of September 1979. Following the general election, His Excellency Jerry John Rawlings handed over power to the late President, His Excellency Dr. Hilla Limann of the People’s National Convention (PNC), in a colorful national ceremony amidst pomp and pageantry.
Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings and other colleagues in the Ghana Armed Forces, dissatisfied with the PNC Government’s administration—which was considered volatile at the time—staged another coup to topple the Limann Administration on December 31, 1981. After a successful dispensation, he reassumed the position of Head of State under the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), remaining in power until 2000 when, following the general election, he handed over power from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to former President His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
It is noteworthy that from the June 4 period of 1979, stretching up to the 2000 general election, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings was very vocal in Ghana’s political administration.
Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings not only actively supported her husband to realize his political ambitions but also made a lasting impact across Ghana by tirelessly advocating for women’s emancipation in social, economic, and political spheres.
Consider her dynamic role in the formation of the 31st December Women’s Group. She established various food processing industries in multiple towns and villages to empower women economically.
There were countless other initiatives through which she encouraged and benefited not only women but also numerous families, enabling them to lead meaningful lives. For instance, the family home of Nene Kofi Opey-Fiagbor in Adjikpo-Amlakpo, Somanya, was highly privileged to welcome Her Excellency Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings anytime she visited.
On a Saturday in early January 1983, she visited to seek the hand of one of our beautiful sisters, Lucy Kpodjie, for Alex Dautey, who was then one of her husband’s military guards at the Castle in Osu-Accra. How can we, as a family, ever forget such a diligent, graceful, and distinguished person like her in our memories?
Your Excellency, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, your loss is deeply felt and irreplaceable for Mother Ghana. We all join the Rawlings immediate family in Accra, the people of Asanteman, the Keta people of her late husband, and the National Democratic Congress, which she helped found, alongside the President and Government of Ghana, to mourn this loss.
To a highly beloved and illustrious daughter of Ghana: may Mother Earth lie lightly upon your body as your precious soul rests in perfect peace in the bosom of the Good Lord, until the resurrection day when we shall all meet again. Fare thee well!
DAMIRIFA DUE! DUENI AMANEHUNU!
By J. K. Tetteh Kpodjie
Concerned Citizen
Somanya
0557672086
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Sometime ago, money-doubling used to be a very lucrative trade for people who had the skill. But it all depended on the availability of street-lights, which were used as accessories in the money-doubling schemes. The more street-lights that were available, the more likely it was that money would be doubled.
Money has indeed been doubled for people—civil servants, pastors, journalists, and diplomats. People suspected of being naive and carrying cash were conned into believing their money could be doubled without chanting. All they had to do was place their money under a ‘sacred’ stone, then walk in a certain direction, counting ten street-lights in the process without looking back.
“If you look back, you’ll go mad, wallahi!” they were warned, to ensure obedience. After counting the ten street-lights, participants were told to return and collect their doubled money under the ‘divine’ stone with jubilation. And for a moment, it seemed real—the cash appeared doubled. The problem, of course, was that the entire sum was nothing but newspaper cut to fit the currency size. At first, victims would be amazed, thinking they were hallucinating, only to frantically realize the trick. Meanwhile, the money-doublers would vanish miles away with the real cash.
In this era, money-doubling schemes often occur around payday, when people have just received their salaries. Those with ¢80,000 in hand could be tempted with the promise of returning home with ¢160,000. But in reality, many end up empty-handed, learning the harsh lesson of the financial culture of today.
Not long ago, Edward Alomele, who claims he is “Original Alor,” collected his pay and walked leisurely home, planning to celebrate. A wayside lottery operator noticed his bulging back pocket and thought he could easily trick him into handing over the money. But Alor was no amateur when it came to finance.
The lottery man pointed to a display of consumer items—televisions, sound systems, cookers, water heaters—and explained the game. Alor tried a sample ticket and “won” a colour television instantly. However, since he hadn’t staked money, he was told he needed to hand over his pay to claim the prize. Alor, sensing the scam, studied the man’s reaction carefully.
He deliberately wore mismatched footwear—one red canvas shoe and one green—to signal that he was not an easy target. The lottery operator realized his mistake, apologized, and acknowledged that Alor was not a naive newcomer.
Despite widespread reporting on these scams, hundreds of people fall victim every week, losing a significant portion of their salaries. Many prefer to remain silent, ashamed of having been deceived. Some notable individuals, like Devine Ankamah, have managed to dodge these traps through vigilance and experience, but the majority remain vulnerable.
Even pastors and other respected members of society have been duped by money-doublers, proving that awareness alone is often not enough. As Merari Alomele notes, “When shall we ever learn?”
This article was first published on Saturday, August 5, 1995.
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