Subject: Should Africa tolerate the brain drain?

From BBC NEWS

Every year, thousands of qualified doctors, lawyers, architects and other
professionals leave Africa for the west. They are tempted by significantly
higher wages and brighter prospects.

But this brain drain is costing Africa dear. The departure of qualified
professionals leaves the continent poorer, and holds back development.
Universities turn out graduates, only to see them take their skills abroad.

In Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa, for example, the flight of doctors has
been so overwhelming that they have had to recruit hundreds of Cuban doctors
to fill the gap.

Should this be tolerated any longer, or should African governments prevent
professionals from leaving the continent? Perhaps they should be required to
work in their home countries for ten years before being allowed to leave.

Maybe they should be required to pay some form of compensation before they
go. Is limiting such personal freedom a recipe for disaster? Tell us what you
think.

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