Centre for Migration Studies
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Recent Submissions
Item Intergenerational Solidarity Of Nigerian Migrants In The Greater Accra Region(University Of Ghana, 2021-11) Abu, M.Concerns have been raised about the potential of international migration in affecting family ties and the relationship between adult migrants and their ageing parents. When adult children migrate and leave behind their ageing parents, it has the potential of depriving them of support and care and could be disruptive as well. In recent years, the flow of international migration has increased in every region of the world. However, the discourse in Africa, particularly in West Africa, has turned to focus more on North-South migration although the data shows the majority of migrants move within the sub-region. This study is aimed at examining the intergenerational solidarity of Nigerian migrants in Ghana and their ageing parents in Nigeria. A qualitative research approach was used for this study. The sample size was made up of 20 adult Nigerian migrants through the snowballing technique. Of the 20, 15 were male migrants and five were female migrants. In addition, they were all above the age of 18. The instrument used for the study was a semi-structured interview guide. The qualitative data were manually transcribed, manually edited and analysed thematically based on the objectives of the study. The study found that Nigerian migrants maintained associational solidarity with their ageing parents through phone calls although visiting was constrained by distance, cost of transportation and border challenges. Geographical proximity was found to be a major constraining factor affecting the ability of migrants to regularly visit their parents. Functional solidarity was enacted through financial support, usually in the form of remittances, to ageing parents. Affectual solidarity was also expressed through love, emotional support and concern for ageing parents and vice versa. Normative solidarity was found to influence functional solidarity, associational solidarity and Affectual solidarity. Migration to Ghana did not have a significant influence on Consensual solidarity. Also, the study found that many of the dimensions of intergenerational solidarity are interlinked.Item The Role Of Middlemen In The Facilitation Of Labor Market Access Of Migrants In Ghana.(University Of Ghana, 2022-01) Okai, K.A.Migrants have increasingly become much more reliant on intermediaries for their migration. Consequently, migration intermediaries or "middle men' have become increasingly critical for understanding of the current patterns and experiences of international migration. The main objective of the study is to generally examine the activities of migration intermediaries/middlemen in facilitating the acquisition of immigration permits to migrants in Ghana. The study employed the structuralist approach as its theoretical foundation to show the role middlemen and migration intermediaries play in the facilitation of labour access entry for newly migrants. The study employed a qualitative research design in exploring how middlemen and migration intermediaries facilitate labour access entry for newly migrants. An interview guide was used as the primary data collection instrument. Twenty-Five (25) respondents were chosen using purposive and snowballing sampling. The respondents interviewed includes ten (10) Ghana Immigration Service Officials, five (5) migrants and ten (10) migration intermediaries stationed in Greater Accra. According to the findings of the research, newly migrants benefit from the facilitation roles played by migration intermediaries. The research also shows that the majority of these intermediaries are unregistered and operate illegally. This research strongly recommends that the operations of the GIS be digitized to eliminate the activities of goroboys who are not regulated by any law in Ghana. It also helps to reduce the human element in the immigration permits processing chain thereby reducing extortion, corruption and exploitation of migrants and the loopholes in the current manual processing system being used.Item Migration And Development: A Case Study Of Nkonya Hometown Association On The Development Of Nkonya Ntumda.(University Of Ghana, 2022-01) Odonkor, I.The study seeks to examine the role of Nkonya Hometown association in the development of their community. The study was primarily designed to explore the motivation behind the formation of a hometown association, along with its impacts, as well as the obstacles it faces when interacting with community and local government officials, and to learn about its participation in decision-making processes that affects the beneficiary community. The Nkonya Hometown association is based in Accra. The study employed the theory of social capital as its theoretical foundation to show how the social solidarity mechanisms are interwoven with resources created by associational entities to deliver public good results among communities. The study employed a qualitative research design in exploring how hometown association contributes to the communal development. An interview guide was used as the primary data collection instrument. Twenty-Five (25) respondents were chosen using snowballing sampling. The respondents interviewed includes seven (7) executives of the Nkonya Hometown association, Ten (10) members of the association, and eight (8) opinion leaders and members from the origin community. According to the findings of the research, the association's members benefit from strong social networks that help them maintain and improve their sense of ethnic identity and self-worth. Their members have access to external assets via a bridge network, which aids in the dissemination of knowledge. The research's conclusion is that the local association in this study was not immune to difficulties that impede the pursuit of its purpose and aims, and even its very existence itself.Item The Socio-Economic Impacts Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Ghanaian Transnational Traders In The Accra Metropolitan Area Of Ghana(University Of Ghana, 2021-12) Puplampu, B.S.The outbreak of the coronavirus disease spread to many nations of the world such that many people have been infected leading to several of them losing their lives. In the attempt to control the spread of the disease so these deaths are minimized, different forms of control measures were put in place by governments of nations around the world. These control measures in handling a health crisis may have unfortunately done more harm than good as other sectors in the economies of countries around the world have been affected. The activity of transnational trade has particularly been affected because, due to the restriction in the movement of persons across borders, transnational traders were unable to engage in their multiple trips to other countries to access and import the goods they trade in. Also, the initial shock of the spread of the coronavirus disease slowed down production in many of these destination countries leading to the delay and shortage in the supply of some goods to these transnational traders. This study, in its contribution to the growing literature on Ghanaian Transnational Traders, focuses on these traders in the Accra Metropolitan Area (AMA) of Ghana and its environs who trade between Ghana and China by examining the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic on them. This study looks at the coping strategies these traders have had to employ to keep their businesses thriving and to make ends meet during the pandemic. In doing this, the study pays attention to the activities these traders engage in that qualify their trading activity to be transnational in nature and why the pandemic affected them and their businesses that much. The four specific objectives of this study were to first, assess the socio-economic activities these traders who import from China engaged in before and during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic; second, to examine the coping strategies of these traders who import from China as a result of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; third, to examine the challenges and adjustments agents in Ghana that facilitate transnational trading activities to and from China have had to make due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic; and lastly, to review Ghana’s response strategies to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic concerning transnational trading generally in the country and make recommendations. Using the concurrent triangulation mixed-methods design approach grounded in the pragmatic philosophical worldview, this study employed the use of multiple data collection methods to gather data from its seventy (70) respondents at different levels. Among these respondents, fifty (50) were administered questionnaires and for the remaining twenty (20), semistructured interviews were conducted. Documents from relevant organizations were also solicited to aid in this study. Guided by the transnational migration theory and the sustainable livelihoods framework, key findings revealed that in the activity of transnational trading among transnational traders in the AMA, where those involved are to make multiple moves across borders and/ or import from various destinations to Ghana, there exists three distinct categories of transnational traders. These categories of transnational traders were identified based on their frequency of transnational movement and their frequency of importation. Additionally, not all the coping strategies employed by these traders due to the impact of the control measures (put in place by the Ghanaian government) due to the pandemic were favourable. Also, the outbreak of the virus not only impacted transnational traders but also impacted agents who facilitate the movement of the traders themselves and their goods across borders. The Ghanaian government nonetheless also put support strategies in place to help businesses impacted by the pandemic but unfortunately, due to the nation’s Ghana Beyond Aid Agenda, most of these transnational traders did not qualify for support. A transnational trade pattern model, summarising the major findings of this study was developed. Through this model, the emphasis on transnational trading as a livelihood strategy was made. However, bearing in mind the many considerations these traders have to make and the obstacles they have to overcome to not only make a living but also provide goods for consumption in Ghana, they should not be sidelined. Even in the endeavour to create a Ghana beyond aid, it should be a collective process involving all and sundry, so through the progression towards a self-reliant nation, all citizens including transnational traders would embrace the results and work towards the success of Ghana’s agenda.Item Changes In Social Outlook Of Ghanaian Exchange Students In University Of Ghana(University Of Ghana, 2022-12) Dzidula, A.N.International Migration has become more rapid, globalized and diverse with many young people travelling across international boundaries for reasons such as tourism and education among others. International education has become a valuable export commodity with many countries working hard to recruit students. Ghana is not left out of this arrangement as institutions of higher learning in Ghana accept international students as well as send out their students for the purpose of studying. (Doucerain et al. 2013), asserts that moving to a new environment has its peculiar effects on individuals no matter the duration of the stay. The main objective of this study was thus to ascertain the influence of the year abroad experience on the social outlook of Ghanaian students. The research employed the use of a mixed study approach to achieve its objective. A total of 60 participants were sampled for the quantitative while the interviews on the other hand roped in 8 participants. Findings showed that, exchange students were exposed to newer styles of teaching which they found more interesting. Also, their views on religion and campus residence were altered after their trip. These results indicate that the study abroad period does have an influence on students’ social outlook.Item Brain Gain In The Health Sector Of Ghana - Diaspora Collective In-Kind Remittance And Knowledge Transfers(University of Ghana, 2019-05) Diakpieng, J.A.Migration is gradually becoming an important feature of globalization, due to the individual’s will to overcome adversity and to live a better life. Several reports have emerged on migration of health professional from developing countries to developed ones. Studies have tagged this form of migration as ‘Brain Drain’ and concluded that health professionals’ migration poses a major challenge to the health sector of the country, in this case Ghana. Against this background, this study sought to fill in the research gap regarding the benefits of Ghana losing some of its medical professionals to developed countries. Hence, the study examined, the ‘Brain Gain’ in the health sector of Ghana: diaspora collective in-kind remittance transfers. Specifically drawing on the pull and push migration theory of Lee, the study explored; the motivation drivers that influence health professionals to migrate. The purposive sampling technique was used to collect data from five (5) medical stakeholders, health organization, and medical associations in Ghana, while the snowball sampling technique was use to gather information from seven (7) returnee medical practitioners in Ghana. The study revealed that, most medical professionals migrate due to poor condition of services in Ghana and their desire to better their lives. These health migrants mostly remit in-kind to the state and they do that through donation of medical equipment, medical supplies and through organization of medical outreach programs for poor and deprived communities in Ghana. Most of the respondents affirmed that remittances from this migrated health professionals’ helps to reduce the burden on government budget in the health sector of Ghana. On the other hand, the findings revealed that, Government has no deliberate policy to manage migration of health professionals from Ghana.Item Resilience Of Irregular Migration of Ghanaians Across the Sahara Desert to Libya(University of Ghana, 2020-10) Akoto, BismarkGiven the rising incidence of irregular migration around the world, this study explored the resilience of irregular migration of Ghanaians across the Sahara Desert to Libya. The objectives of the study were to (a) find out the factors motivating Ghanaians to migrate through the Sahara Desert to Libya (b) explore the sources of resilience in migrating through the Sahara Desert (c) investigate the challenges faced by Ghanaian irregular migrants in Libya and (d) explore the coping strategies of Ghanaian irregular migrants in Libya. A total of eighteen returned irregular migrants from Akontaanim, a farming community under the Dormaa Central Municipality in the Bono Region participated in the study and they constitute the point of saturation. A qualitative study was employed involving both in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, manually coded, and analyzed using thematic data analysis method. The findings of the study indicated that migrants were motivated to migrate irregularly due to economic, family/community influence as well as the difficulties in acquiring valid travelling documents. Also, findings from the study showed that irregular migrants on the Sahara Desert faced horrific challenges such as the unavailability of water and food, and armed robbery. The study found that participants possessed both internal sources of resilience (for instance spirituality, courage, and the mental conditioning to endure) as well as external sources of resilience (relying on fellow travellers as a source of resilience). Furthermore, the study found that participants faced many challenges as irregular migrants in Libya but they relied on both the problem-focused and emotional-focused coping strategies to deal with these challenges which included harassment and arbitrary arrest by security officials as well as the inability to access formal healthcare. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that both the Government of Ghana in partnership with other International Organizations such as IOM intensify education on regular migration as well as the pitfalls of irregular migration.Item International Students’ Mobility to Ghana-Expectations and Experiences(University of Ghana, 2021-11) Aguzey, R.F.International student mobility is increasingly becoming one of the highlights in modern migration literature. The literature establishes that the number of globally mobile students has witnessed a spiral increase in recent times, with English-speaking countries hosting the largest number of students. Ghana has become a popular study destination for international students in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigates international students’ mobility to Ghana and explores their expectations and experiences. This study employs qualitative research method in examining the expectations vis-à-vis the experiences of international students in Ghana. With the University of Ghana as the area for the research, the sample size consisted of 20 international students from the university. Primary data was collected using in-depth interviews and data collected was analysed using thematic analysis. Factors informing students’ decision to study outside their origin country include but are not limited to the traditional push-pull factors. The study also found that international students have high expectations of language proficiency, access to information, course curriculum to enhance job prospects, social and cultural life and facilities. Overall, international students expressed diverse experiences with academic work, language, accommodation, socio-cultural lifestyle, support services, Covid-19 and the weather. Most students had experiences that were closely matched to their initial expectations of studying in Ghana. The study concludes that both “push” and “pull” factors in Ghana and the origin countries of international students motivate them to study in Ghana. Thus, it is important that government and stakeholders maintain a conducive environment in order to attract international students. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that the labour market be open up and employment opportunities be made available to international students. Favourable immigration policies should also be put in place to retain international students in the labour market.Item Hometown Development in Ghana: The Role of Internal Migrant Student Associations in the University of Ghana(University of Ghana, 2020-10) Banoenumah, B.N.International migrant hometown associations and internal migrant associations both play crucial roles in the development of their respective communities. Today, Internal Migrant Student Hometown Associations (IMSHTAs) have become an integral part of university life, contributing in diverse ways towards the welfare of their members as well as their respective hometowns. However, despite the numerous studies on international and IMSHTAs have been largely understudied especially in terms of how, as dependents, these students are able to mobilise resources to achieve their welfare and developmental objectives. This study therefore explored the role of these student associations in the development of their hometowns, comparing the activities of Ashanti Students Union (ASU) and the National Association of Gonjaland Students (NAGS) both in the University of Ghana, Legon. The study employed qualitative research in which 22 members of NAGS and 19 members of ASU were interviewed. The findings indicate that IMSHTAs play the role of catalysts in the development of their hometowns, through donations, voluntary teaching and sensitisation of their home people on health and educational issues. It equally indicated that IMSHTAs are hybrid associations between hometown associations and student associations, with interest in contributing their quota back ‘home’. They are formed to first and foremost cater for the needs of their members on campus such as providing accommodation, financial and emotional support and at the same time, contribute to their hometowns. They employ different means to ensure the welfare of their members and use the strong and weak ties they have with their social networks to achieve their aims. Their strong ties constitute prominent people from their hometowns and their patrons while their weak ties include their classmates, hall mates and other students. They face challenges such as apathy of members, and limited funds but they are able to leverage unity and their social networks to mitigate these challenges. The study recommends that the local government authorities in Gonjaland and Ashanti Region and the office of the dean of students - University of Ghana should take keener interest in student hometown associations as a special category of migrants that contribute to human and cultural development especially at the local level.Item Civil Society Organizations as Social Networks and Mental Health Support for Migrants: A Case Study Of Lund, Sweden(University of Ghana, 2020-12) Stubbergaard, A.Prior research acknowledges that the prevalence of mental health problems is higher among immigrants than the native-born population and that the stress migrants experience at the place of destination can negatively impact integration. Since the beginning of the European so-called ‘refugee crisis’ in 2015, Sweden has experienced an increase of mixed migration flows, which has indicated a rising demand from the host country to support the various categories of migrants’ needs. In addition to the national, regional and local authorities adapting to the situation, parts of the Swedish civil society adjusted their projects to increasingly support newly arrived migrants. By conducting a qualitative study with key informants from civil society organizations to obtain knowledge from the host society’s perspective, as well as immigrant’s describing their own situations in the migration process, this study gives a profound understanding of the problem. The model of resettlement process and refugee mental health will provide guidance to understand post migration stressors and potential mental health difficulties, and the social network theory further guides the analysis to comprehend what role social networks and social capital have in facilitating the migration process, with particular focus on the psychological aspects. This study argues that the civil society at the place of destination can provide opportunities for migrants to access social capital and resources, and it is evident that the local civil society organizations’ projects help to reduce the most common post migration stressors. Therefore, they also decrease the risks of mental health difficulties to arise, and further improve the integration process. Despite insufficient tools and resources, the civil society organizations fill the social void that is not covered by authorities, and particularly provide support for the most vulnerable migrants. The organizations function as mediators between the migrants and the host society, where networks can be created and maintained, and therefore lower the psychological costs in the migration process.Item The Effects of Rural Urban Migration on Agricultural Production in the Ketu-North District(University Of Ghana, 2019-07) Dzudzor, D.K.Migration is a topical issue that has caught the attention of researchers over the past few decades. There are many effects of migration, especially from rural to urban areas. The purpose of this study is to examine the causes and effects of rural-urban migration on agricultural productivity from the perspective of non-migrant farmers left behind. Data were obtained using a mixed-method approach where the instruments used in this study were a structured questionnaire and an interview guide for key informant interviews. A field survey was conducted in gathering primary data from 100 farmers in Dzodze in the Ketu-North District. Using descriptive statistics, the factors that influence out-migration, the relationship between outmigration and labour availability, the effect of out-migration on production levels and food availability are analysed. The results of the study indicate that among the farmers, unemployment is the main factor that influences out-migration from the Ketu-North District. The findings also reveal that out-migration adversely affects agriculture labour availability and production levels. Thus, increasing the cost of hired labour and reducing the potential volume of production. It is recommended that the government promotes rural industrialisation to revamp the local economy, thus creating more opportunities for the citizens. Also, adequate provision of infrastructure and social amenities to attract others into the area is needed. Finally, the government should invest in modernising the agriculture sector so as to improve the efficiency of farmers and increase production volumes.Item Security Implications of Immigrants’ Participation in the Mining Sector of Ghana(University Of Ghana, 2019-07) Hammond, P.A.Globally, mining activities are mostly deemed to affect the environment negatively especially in developing countries. In view of this, it is important to examine the security implication of immigrant’s participation in the mining sector in Ghana with emphasis on Adaase mining community. The research design adopted for the study was a mixed method. The sample size was made up of 105 respondents selected through simple random sampling technique. Instruments used for the study were structured questionnaire and in-depth interview guide. The quantitative data was analysed using SPSS and the qualitative through the use of thematic analysis. The result shows that general knowledge of illegal small-scale mining was evident in the study area (86.7%) with foreigners in such mining activities constituting more than a quarter. Again, the most immediate effect from illegal mining activities on the environment was the reduction in forest cover and pollution of water bodies. Furthermore, dust pollution experienced from surface mining was dust particles in the air that affected people of the community. The finding revealed that negative impact of mining on farming activities was the absence of water for crops and lack of cultivated lands. With respect to the migrant level of involvement in mining activities, the outcome shows that migrants were backed by some influential people in the community as a result of their financial resources. It is concluded that perception about immigrant’s mining activities affected the community negatively since key resources such as land, water bodies and forest covers suffered the most. It is recommended that the government of Ghana through its agencies responsible for mining and its related activities should ensure strict compliance of mining regulations to curtail the illegal mining activities and reduce its effects on such communities.Item Brain Gain in the Health Sector of Ghana – Diaspora Collective in-Kind Remittance and Knowledge Transfers(University of Ghana, 2020-05) Diakpieng, J.A.Migration is gradually becoming an important feature of globalization, due to the individual’s will to overcome adversity and to live a better life. Several reports have emerged on migration of health professional from developing countries to developed ones. Studies have tagged this form of migration as ‘Brain Drain’ and concluded that health professionals’ migration poses a major challenge to the health sector of the country, in this case Ghana. Against this background, this study sought to fill in the research gap regarding the benefits of Ghana losing some of its medical professionals to developed countries. Hence, the study examined, the ‘Brain Gain’ in the health sector of Ghana: diaspora collective in-kind remittance transfers. Specifically drawing on the pull and push migration theory of Lee, the study explored; the motivation drivers that influence health professionals to migrate. The purposive sampling technique was used to collect data from five (5) medical stakeholders, health organization, and medical associations in Ghana, while the snowball sampling technique was use to gather information from seven (7) returnee medical practitioners in Ghana. The study revealed that, most medical professionals migrate due to poor condition of services in Ghana and their desire to better their lives. These health migrants mostly remit in-kind to the state and they do that through donation of medical equipment, medical supplies and through organization of medical outreach programs for poor and deprived communities in Ghana. Most of the respondents affirmed that remittances from this migrated health professionals’ helps to reduce the burden on government budget in the health sector of Ghana. On the other hand, the findings revealed that, Government has no deliberate policy to manage migration of health professionals from Ghana.Item Effects of International Migration of Parents on Left- Behind Children: A Case Study of Basic Schools in Ablekuma South Districts, Greater Accra(University of Ghana, 2019-12) Fiakuna, F.K.Migration has a profound impact on the developmental process of both developed and developing countries. However, knowledge and analysis of everyday experiences of children and their coping strategies with parental migration as left-behind children have received less attention in Ghana. In the context of migration, the negative impact of the family separation observed in broader family literature has resulted in a decrease in parental help and monitoring that is necessary for the development of children. The migration of parents has resulted in a decrease in parental monitoring of the necessary development of the children in addition to family separation especially in developing countries like Ghana. The general objective of the study was to assess the effect of parental migration on the well-being of left-behind children in the Ablekuma South District of the Greater Accra Metropolis. The research design that was adopted for the study was the mixed method. The sample size was made up of 52 respondents selected through a multi-stage sampling procedure. Instruments used were structured questionnaires and in-depth interview guides. The quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS and the qualitative through the use of thematic analysis. The results show that more than three-fifth (69.2%) of the children left-behind were affected negatively due to associated risks and the cost of migration incurred by their parents. The findings further revealed that a large proportion (90.4%) of remittances sent by parents were received by caregivers than any other group of people. It is concluded that migrants consider the importance of caregivers either of their relations or otherwise as the substitute to care for their left-behind children. Despite the numerous benefits migrations has on their households, it is recommended that with regards to left-behind children, the government of Ghana through the Ministry of Gender and Social Protection should include in their activities to offer education for caregivers and if possible streamline their work to make it formal to monitor their progress and performance.Item Combating Human Trafficking: An Assessment of the National Policies on Eliminating Human Trafficking in Ghana(University of Ghana, 2019-07) Amissah, H.Despite efforts to counter human trafficking, it is still an issue of global concern. However, most of the works on human trafficking have focused on challenges, health implication on victims, its threats to national security and transnational human trafficking activities with little attention on the implementation plans of the policies, legal and institutional frameworks that govern the Act. This research examined how policies, specifically the National Plan of Action for the Elimination of Human Trafficking in Ghana, have curbed trafficking in persons and its implications in Ghana. The specific objectives were to trace the history and provide a descriptive analysis of the policies relevant for managing human trafficking in Ghana, to assess the policy guidelines and legal instruments for eliminating human trafficking in Ghana, to examine the role of state and non-state actors in abetting the implementation of the policies that tackle human trafficking in Ghana. The study made use of both primary sources, thus conducted interviews with ten relevant stakeholders and secondary sources of data which included Policies, Acts and Legal frameworks like The National Plan of Action for the Elimination of Human Trafficking of 2017, The Human Trafficking Act of 2005; Act 694, The Children‟s Act of 1998, Act 560, The Ghana Immigration Law, and The National Migration Policy. The study revealed that the Government of Ghana has made concerted efforts to combat human trafficking in Ghana. Since the formulation of the National Plan of Action, Ghana has moved from the Tier 2 watch list to Tier 2. This means that their effort to combat human trafficking has successfully increased. Its implementation has also effectively enforced partnership and collaboration amongst stakeholder institutions in their quest to combat this canker. It also revealed that state and non-state actors have played very important roles in dealing with human trafficking. This year the government of Ghana established rescue centres for victims of trafficking. Again, all government security organizations, Ghana Immigration Service and Ghana Police Service, have developed compulsory training curricular for all their officers, both new recruits and old, to tackle issues on human trafficking. However, despite these achievements, the study discovered some institutional challenges relating to funding, community sensitization, victim identification, reintegration and prosecution of perpetrators in dealing with policy implementation. It is therefore recommended that policies enacted on human trafficking should be reviewed and harmonized, and the international laws ratified, to avoid duplication and confusion. If at the end of the five year period, the National Plan of Action for the Elimination of Human Trafficking‟s implementation is achieved, it should be extended.Item Victimization and Vulnerability of Migrants in the Street: Case Study of Street Children in Agbogbloshie, Accra(University of Ghana, 2019-07) Gyami, G.O.In the world of unequal opportunities are children deprived of normal home life with kith and kin who have to be in the street to struggle and engage in all activities for their survival and that of their relatives. The number of children, both foreigners and nationals, on the streets is becoming alarming. The stigma involved and their fears on the streets have not received the needed attention as well as reactions. The objectives of the study were to investigate and comprehend their experiences on the streets and mainly to find out the problems the street children are vulnerable to as well as the bad situations they found themselves in. A total number of thirty (30) very young children who stay on the streets of Agbogbloshie were selected to participate in the study. A qualitative research was employed involving an in-depth knowledge (lived experiences) of the phenomenon. The findings of the study indicated that street children have problems regarding their accommodation and are dissatisfied with their jobs, which then place them at risk of involving themselves in social vices. They are vulnerable to theft, sickness, rape, assault, harassment, stigmatization, exploitation, abuse and accidents (car and motorbike accidents). The study admits that victimization is a societal problem that requires cooperation of agencies, organizations and individual skills and benevolence, and failure to do at least something endangers the life of these vulnerable young people.Item The Effects of Out-Migration on Fishing Households: A Case Study of Ningo-Prampram District, Ghana(University of Ghana, 2019-07) Sarfo, B.A.Out-migration and fishing nexus is an age-old phenomenon and this relationship has a long historical antecedence among coastal fishing communities around the world. However, there is a dearth of literature with regard to out-migration effects on fishing households and their related activities. The objectives of the study are to examine the effects of out-migration on fishing households in the Ningo-Prampram district. The research design that was adopted for the study was mixed methods. The sample size was made up of 271 migrant fishing households, selected through a systematic sampling technique. Instruments used for the study were semi-structured questionnaires, in-depth interview guides and focus group discussions. The quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 and the qualitative through the use of thematic analysis. The results show that a little over three-fifth (60%) of the migrant fishing household mentioned that migration decision making process rest on both the individual and the household and this is consistent with the views of the NELM and push-pull perspective which posited that individuals and household make costs and benefits analysis of the conditions available at the destination areas and the origin areas before selecting a household member to migrate. Also, the findings of the study indicate that an overwhelming majority of the households asserted that they maintain contact with their out-migrants, while close to two-fifth (39.9) espoused that migrants maintain contact with their households through visits, even though there is an advancement in telecommunication. The results of the study reveal that receipts of remittances by the households improved the standard of living of household members. It again shows that a significant proportion of the households attributed labour lost as a cause for out-migration. It was concluded that out-migration has a positive and successful outcome on the migrant fishing household if households assets are well managed due to uncertainty in household economic activities and vice versa Recommendations are made for state agencies to maximize the benefits that come with out-migration and minimize the cost associated with out-migration.Item Mobility and Border Control Practices in Ghana: A Case Study of Paga Border Post(University of Ghana, 2019-07) Quartey, E.Issues of international borders have been of security concern to governments particularly, in the post 9/11 era. The securitization discourse has taken centre stage as governments move towards tightening their border controls against ‘perceived threats’ such as terrorism. Many African countries face the difficult task of securing their borders. Numerous challenges encountered in this regard means that borders have become transnational crime zones. In recent times, transnational security threats and terrorist acts are increasingly gaining grounds in the West African sub-Region and Ghana being part of the Region is at risk of being affected. It has therefore become imperative to examine how cross-border mobility is controlled in Ghana with emphasis on Paga border post with a view of assessing how secured the country’s borders are. The study employed a mixed method approach. A sample size of 92 Immigration officers within the various units of GIS were selected through multistage sampling procedure. Instruments used for the study were structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews. The quantitative data were analysed using SPSS and the qualitative through the use of thematic analysis. The results revealed that in controlling movements across the borders, required document is passport (80.4%), followed by ECOWAS card. Again, passport is the main document examined during security checks, use of equipment/gadgets for checking people who cross the border is not a practice. Intense patrolling and blocking of routes provide effective ways of managing illegal crossings. The findings also indicated that major nationals who cross the border post frequently are ECOWAS citizens other than Ghanaians with business, visit and tourism as perceived purposes. Activities engage in by these nationals are trading in general goods and motor/bicycle spare parts. Lack of modern equipment for work and logistical constraints are the main challenges encountered in controlling movements across the border. With respect to potential transnational security threats, terrorism and drug/arm trafficking emerged as prominent. The study concludes that the challenges Immigration officials encounter in controlling cross-border movement, negate their ability to maintain security and expose the country to transnational security threats/crimes. Consequently, Ghana’s borders cannot be said to be secured. In light of this, it is recommended that the GIS be adequately resourced to effectively discharge its mandate of providing security at the borders. This may be done by way of provision of modern equipment, new facilities and logistics (vehicles, communication gadgets, sensors, surveillance cameras etc.).Item Reintegration of Skilled Returned Migrants in Ghana: An Advantage or a Challenge?(University of Ghana, 2019-09) Amoh, E.E.Many people search for opportunities for self-development elsewhere, particularly in other countries when those opportunities are nonexistent in their countries. Many other people also as rational as they are try to compare the cost of training in their countries of origin to the cost of training in similar field and finally make a decision to migrate for the ‗better deal‘ but later return to their home countries. There is however little known in the migration literature about the integration of the highly skilled returned migrants in Ghana. This study looks at the reintegration of highly skilled returned migrants in Ghana, with a focus on Accra. The mixed method approach has been used in this study, in which snowballing has been combined with purposive sampling to select a sample of 45 respondents for the study. The study discovered that returned migrants are skillful and could offer their labour for the development of the country when harnessed for development. The study also discovered that politics at both national political party level and organizational levels discriminate against returned migrants, but are in favour of those who were on scholarships that were sanctioned or awarded by the Ghana Government or the organization or institution. It was discovered people discriminate against returned migrants by cheating them because of their perceived wealth. Returned migrants easily get access to some resources such as land, social capital, in terms of help from people, and easily get integrated by marriage. The Ministry in charge of youth and employment should provide a platform where these returned migrants can upload their profiles and documents for job applications. The policy on discrimination on the basis of ethnic group or tribe, religious affiliation, and other factors should be enforcedItem Migration Intentions of Health Professionals: The Case of Final Year Medical Students, University of Ghana(University of Ghana, 2019-07) Nkansah, P.The continuous migration of health professionals, including medical students after school has negative effects on the health system in Ghana. The role of doctors is very paramount in health care delivery as it is reflective in the quality of services given. It is in this vein that a study was conducted to examine the migration intentions of final year medical students and the factors that influence their intentions. The research design that was adopted for the study was mixed method. The sample size was made up of 104 respondents selected through the purposive sampling technique. Instruments used for the study were semi-structured questionnaires and in-depth interview guide. The quantitative data were analysed using SPSS and the qualitative through the use of thematic analysis. Students filled a questionnaire on their migration intentions and this was followed by an in-depth interview with five (5) students and two (2) lecturers based on their availability and willingness to be interviewed to understand the factors that influence medical student’s migration intentions. The study revealed that majority of the final year medical students had the intention to emigrate after completion of their studies. Three main reasons accounted for their desire to move out of Ghana, these are quality and variety of specialization training being offered, higher wages in destination countries and availability of good jobs abroad. With regards to return intentions, large portion responded yes but within the duration of about 5 years. Nevertheless, the decision to move out of the country could be hindering government policies in destination countries as well as better policies in the country to retain most of them. Some of the strategies put in place to improve retention of doctors include improvement of salaries and improved working conditions. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that retention is likely to be successful when salaries are improved coupled with stable economic conditions.