https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8943-9682
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ABSTRACT
Brain drain has long been argued to be one of Africa’s key development challenges. This paper provides a more nuanced analysis of African career mobility through a focus on professionals in the creative industries, specifically Ghanaian fashion designers. Drawing on interviews with 31 fashion designers but focussing on the career geography of internationally renowned Kofi Ansah, we show how ‘brain drain’ turned into ‘brain gain’ and consequently ‘brain circulation’, fundamentally transforming Ghana’s fashion industry. The paper thus demonstrates how the knowledge and expertise return migrants gather through international career mobility can be converted into assets at an individual, national, and international level.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Correction Statement
This article was originally published with errors, which have now been corrected in the online version. Please see Correction (http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14767724.2023.2250175)
Notes
1 Kente is a handwoven cloth from Ghana made from cotton and silk. Bogolanfini or mudcloth is a handmade Malian cotton fabric traditionally dyed with fermented mud.
4 In a webinar presentation on 26th November 2021, organized by the Centre for Urban Management Studies, University of Ghana, Brian Harc presented his work on Creative Entrepreneurs in a Digital Age where he talked about how fashion designers in South Africa are taking advantage of digital spaces to integrate their products into the global market.
5 Christiebrowngh launched the CB FALL WINTER 2020 SHOW online at christiebrownonline.com on 31st October 2020. There was a live discussion show on Instagram during the launch @christiebrowngh.