Nairobi — Brain drain has been a subject of academic, economic and political discourse for decades. It is one of the factors that contribute to poor development in the global south, particularly Africa.

Conversely, it partly accounts for the high socio-economic and technological advancement in the global north, which is the principal beneficiary of the movement of skilled labour.

Though the subject has been widely discussed, little has been done to stem brain drain.

Thus, it remains one of the pressing social and economic challenges that countries in Africa, and other developing states, have to address.

This is why we associate with the sentiments expressed by an academician, Prof John Oucho of the University of Botswana, who, addressing a Pan African conference on migrant labour, underscored the merits of good remuneration for professionals like doctors and lecturers.

Part of the reason for the perennial brain drain is poor pay for all cadres of professionals. Rather than languish in poverty and die in misery, many professionals opt to seek better opportunities in Europe and America.

Besides, these regions offer the professionals a chance to practise their skills by providing them with the equipment and resources they require.

Moreover, some professionals have left because of harsh political environment at home, especially in the 1970s and 1980s, when they were persecuted for their political views.

In particular, Kenya suffered major brain drain when university lecturers and medical doctors left in the early 1990s after unsuccessful strikes to push for better remuneration. It is telling that Prof Oucho, is himself a former lecturer at the University of Nairobi.

Black Africa and other countries in the global south must reappraise their labour practices and put in place systems that reward their best brains adequately.