Cape Coast Oct. 18, GNA- The visiting former President of Botswana, Sir Quett Ketumile Masire, on Wednesday echoed concerns about the exodus of Africa's intelligentsia, especially in the health sector, to the western world in search of greener pastures.

He observed that the African continent has "high grade people" who could help in its development, and said, "it was a shame, if not criminal" for such people in whom a lot has been invested, to run away with their expertise from conditions they could have helped improve. Former President Masire expressed these sentiments when he visited the University of Cape Coast (UCC) as part of his four-day visit to the country.

He pointed out, "to them that much is given, much is expected", stressing that it was therefore their responsibility to help improve conditions in their various countries, instead of running off to places which have their human resources already developed. The visiting former President had earlier paid a courtesy call on the Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur and visited the Elmina Castle.

He was happy that the government of Ghana was making efforts to develop the country's human resource base, by investing in the education of the youth and urged the youth to be proactive and set the right goals that would help in the development of the country.

"Education is not only to train people to be employed but to open their minds to enable them help in the development of their countries", he declared, and advised the government to make effective use of products of the nation's universities.

He also urged the government to "learn to appreciate the work of people who help in the development of the nation and have a good rapport with them", to help reduce the brain-drain and agitations from workers. The Pro-Vice Chancellor of the UCC, Professor Haruna Yakubu, thanked Sir Masire for the visit and commended him for having ruled "the most prosperous and stable country in Africa".

Earlier at the Residency, Nana Arthur, commended former President Masire for visiting the Central Region and appealed to him to help attract investment for the rehabilitation of the Pomadze poultry farm near Winneba.

He expressed concern that despite the region's numerous resources it was not doing well economically, and that industries in the region such as the Komenda sugar factory, Dunkwa goldfields and Saltpond ceramics have all collapsed.

The visiting former President was accompanied by the Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Legon, Professor Kwesi Yankah and a Minister of State, Ms Elizabeth Ohene.