Fighting Africa's Brain Drain

In some parts of West Africa, literacy rates for 15 to 19 year olds and 45 to 49 year olds range from 13% to 18%. In other areas of the continent, the rates are even lower. But amidst such discouraging statistics, there are those who “break the barrier” -- and totally destroy preconceptions or stereotypes. Akasease Yiadom is such a man.

Three years ago, the World War II veteran enrolled at the Presbyterian University College's business school in Abetifi, Ghana. This month, the hardworking student graduated. Akasease Yiadom is 99 years old.

“Education has no end,” he explained. “As long as your brain can work alright, your eyes can see alright, and your ears can hear alright, if you go to school -- you can learn.” Now that he has finished his studies, Yiadom is urging his classmates to resist the lure of higher salaries overseas and stay in Ghana.

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) more than a million Ghanaians left Ghana from 2000 to 2007. But more recently, more than 85 percent have begun to return home -- either temporarily or permanently. It seems they are heeding the words of Yiadom:

“Don't leave; fight, and serve the country. And if you do, you might live to a hundred!”