Centre for Migration Studies

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    Migration, Gender Roles and Remittances of Ghanaian Migrants Abroad
    (University of Ghana, 2018-07) Konadu-Yiadom, E.
    The study employs secondary data by comprehensively reviewing, analysing and discussing relevant literature on the gendered dimension of migration and remittance flow with respect to Ghanaian female migrants. The study examines the extent to which modification of gender roles of migrants abroad contribute to the flow of remittances with respect to Ghanaian female migrants. Overall, the study identified that there exist a relationship between, women, migration and remittances. The study found out that female migrants send approximately the same amount of remittances as male migrants. However, research suggests that women tend to send a higher proportion of their income, even though they generally earn less than men. They also usually send money more regularly and for longer periods of time. It was identified that women remit more of their earnings than men due to pressures from external family members and a sense of responsibility toward their families. This makes women accept very difficult working and living conditions which under normal circumstance they might not have accepted. While men in migration are more likely to return to their country of origin, women are not, in the sense that for the men, their status and respect is reduced abroad whereas for the women it is increased. Therefore whilst the women send a greater portion of their salaries as remittance, men use their salaries to invest and acquire property at their home countries. Finally, it was identified that there is a modification of gender roles among Ghanaian families abroad, especially in Europe and North America. This change offered more opportunities to women economically and are easily integrated in the economy of the host country. Consequently it helped them to assume the role of “bread winner” with is usually reserved for males at home. This reconfiguration of roles made Ghanaian women abroad more assertive at home and economically freed which added to their ability to remit at any given time without restrictions. This Ghanaian context of gender reconfiguration and the status of women at destination countries therefore supports and explains why women are economically empowered and tend to remit largely than men.
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    Migrants in the Trade Sector of Ghana: The Case of Chinese Migrants
    (University Of Ghana, 2018-07) Gyedu, A.
    Migration is one of the most topical issues in the last decades due to its complex nature and both the benefits and challenges that come with it. The growing Chinese presence in Africa has led to several agitations and strong public opinions. In recent times, this new trend of migration by Chinese has led to the influx of Chinese products and the rapid growth of small Chines shops. This has been viewed as posing as an obstacle to the indigenes who are managing the informal sector thereby hindering the progress of local factories. Thus, in Ghana the influx of Chines and importation of cheap Chinese products has been one of the most talked about issues. In the wake of various pockets of agitations that continuously arise from Ghanaian traders with respect to the presence of Chinese traders in the trading sector, this study consequently, sought to examine the risks involved for Ghana due to the Chinese traders‘ presence in the country. The study specifically examined the risks, threats and potential health challenges Chinese trade pose to Ghana. The study used a systematic review method to assess Chinese trading activities in Ghana; threats to local businesses. Studies which used qualitative, quantitative and mixed designs are included in this study. Reports on Chinese in migration into Ghana, their contribution to the economy of Ghana as well as the threats they pose to local businesses in Ghana were included. Methodical electronic searches of databases such as ProQuest Pubmed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, JSTOR were undertaken. In Ghana, one of the main threats facing the trading industry is the smuggling of Chinese prints through the borders. Smuggling de-regulates the Ghanaian market; that is, it undermines the protective element of the import tariff (and fees and taxes) as it significantly reduces the price at which the Chinese African print may be sold. This makes Ghana‗s textile companies unable to compete on their main market, and even the domestic market which may lead to all those local companies producing these fabrics collapsing. The influx of these cheap Chinese goods in the Ghanaian markets compromise on health and safety standards in the manufacturing process. The illegal mining activities by the Chinese have increased pregnancy, high prevalence of HIV as well as increase in respiratory conditions.
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    An Analysis of Children’s Concerns in Migration Legal Instruments in Ghana
    (University of Ghana, 2012-07) Agoe, P.A.
    Migration has become a phenomenon that affects the lives of many people today. Children are affected as well in diverse ways by migration. Most countries lack comprehensive policies on migration which can harness its gains for mutual benefits and reduce its negative impacts. Meanwhile, migration has become a major process in many populations, including Ghana’s. Children have also been participating in migration in various ways; as independent migrants, as moving along with migrating parents or other adults and as left behind by their migrant parents. It is against the background that migration laws and other instruments do not often have perspectives of children considered that the present study examined how existing laws in Ghana related to migration have concerns, if any of children. Ghana was the first country to have ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), yet there are serious situations that threaten their rights and wellbeing such as the negative effects of migration that are probably not addressed with policies or legal instruments. Other situations of migration also make them vulnerable to separation from families, exploitation and abuse. Meanwhile, the Millennium Summit of the UN held in 2000 adopted eight goals popularly known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); and most target children. The present study examined the following laws (legal instruments), The Immigration Act, 2000 (Act 573), The Citizenship Act, 2000 (Act 591), The Refugee Law, 1992 (PNDCL 305D) and The Human Trafficking Act, 2005 (Act 694), and the finding show that it is The Human Trafficking Act, 2005 that explicitly mentions children and their concerns. The study argues that it is important that migration laws and policies have concerns of children considered. Children should be specifically mentioned in them and their needs adequately provided.
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    Living Conditions and Return Strategies of Head Porters (Kayayei) In Madina, Accra.
    (University of Ghana, 2017-07) Makorni, A.S.
    The migration of young women from other parts of Ghana (especially from the three northern regions) to Accra to undertake head porterage business activities has been a matter of great concern to governments due to its associated social issues. In fact, recent flooding situations in Accra beside been attributed to poor drainage systems have also been attributed to the burgeoning number of slum dwellings created by some of the indigenous population as well as migrant head porters in certain areas in the country. In view of this, the current study sought to examine the living conditions, coping and return strategies, as well as the demographic characteristics of head porters in Madina (Accra). To achieve these objectives, a survey on Seventy (70) conveniently sampled head porters within Madina was conducted using the cross-sectional, qualitative and quantitative research approaches. Availability and willingness of head porters to partake in this study was taking into account. Also necessary ethical considerations were observed, permission was obtained from respondents before audio recordings were made. The use of quantitative and qualitative research approach was to gain more insight from respondents in regards to the topic under study. The findings of the study showed that these young girls, popularly referred to as “Kayayei”, live in very deplorable conditions in Accra. The issue of access to housing and housing facilities, education and health were the major social challenges these girls face. In spite of these challenges, the findings of the study showed that these girls have managed to cope with these conditions through their engagement in multiple economic activities to increase their incomes. It was also recorded that the majority of these girls intend to return home in future to actively participate in the social and economic transformation of their regions or towns. Finally, the study also captured that most of these head porters were from the northern parts of Ghana and were Muslims. In recommending a possible solution to the head porter migration issue, the study advocates a holistic approach in which government should assist in providing basic social amenities at the destination to make living conditions better as well as assist in providing start up capital for head porters who are keen on starting a small business. The government should also see to it that minors under the age of 18 years are enrolled in the free compulsory universal basic education at their origin and also design and implement national development policies to ensure that the deprived areas from which these girls migrate are developed. Parents who are caught voluntarily sending their children to be involved in hard active employment must be prosecuted. Civil society groups must play an active role in addressing some of the issues that give rise to the migration of these young girls from the northern regions to big cities. This will aid in reversing the phenomenon, as well as reduce the yearly movement of young girls from rural areas to urban centres in search of better opportunities.
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    International Migration and Drug Trafficking in Ghana
    (University Of Ghana, 2017-07) Ewuntomah, R.
    This study examined international migration and drug trafficking in Ghana. It specifically described trends in reported drug trafficking cases in Ghana from 2009 to 2015 and the socio-demographic characteristics of the people involved. It also identified the specific vulnerabilities and the perceived socio-economic benefits that influence migrants to engage in drug trafficking. Lastly, it described policy interventions implemented to deal with drug trafficking in Ghana and the challenges associated with the control of drug trafficking in Ghana. Using security personnel from Narcotic Control Board (NACOB) and Ghana Police Service (GPS), simple random sampling technique was employed in sampling 230 respondents for the questionnaire survey. Key informant and personal interviews were also conducted with stakeholders and other Drug Enforcement Officers. The results indicate that 2011 recorded the highest drug trafficking cases in Ghana while 2013 recorded the lowest, drug trafficking cases in Ghana. Ghanaians and males were reported as the major drug traffickers relative to other nationals and females, respectively. The majority of security personnel sampled were of the view that drug traffickers are mostly the rich and literate relative to the poor and illiterate. Poverty, the need to get rich quick, unemployment and ignorance were cited as some of the main reasons why people engage in drug trafficking in Ghana. Even though Ghana has collaborated with the international community in ratifying relevant conventions and treaties which provide the impetus and capacity to combat drug trafficking in the country, it continues to serve as a drug transit country and of user country, given the porous nature of its land borders and ports. Inadequate financial motivations, lack of logistics, and Government/State interference are some of the major problems facing the law enforcement agencies in the discharge of their duties. The study recommends strengthening of law enforcement agencies in more selective points of entry which often serve as the gateway for drug traffickers via improved conditions of service and provision of advance logistics and equipment.
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    Perception Of Residents Of Accra And Tema Of The Link Between International Migration And Terrorism
    (University of Ghana, 2016-07) Bongne, F
    There is a global perception that international migration and terrorism are linked. This perception is due mainly to the fact that the 2001 attacks in the United States; 2004, 2007 and 2015 attacks in Madrid, London and Paris, respectively, all involved foreign migrants or their offspring. Though Africa is often classified as a hotbed of terrorism, little research has been conducted to establish the connection between international migration and terrorism. The activities of terrorist groups in West Africa have worsened the security landscape of the sub-region already plagued by bad governance, economic deprivation and conflict. Though, Ghana has not yet experienced any act of terrorism, its location within the sub-region and recent developments in the country make it at a risk of a potential terrorist attack. Ghana has a large immigrant population, mostly made up of West African nationals who are either residing in the country permanently or temporarily. These notwithstanding, there is a dearth of knowledge of any possible link between terrorism and international migration in the West African sub-region in general and Ghana, in particular. Not much work exists on international migration as a conduit for terrorism despite anecdotal evidence indicating some Ghanaian nationals migrated abroad to join terrorist groups. The study, therefore, set out to explore the link between international migration and terrorism, if any, with particular reference to Ghana. To achieve this, the study adopted the mixed methods approach. Through a sample size of 100 respondents, it administered questionnaires and conducted in-depth interviews among the sampled population to extract their views and perceptions of the association between international migration and terrorism. It also adopted the securitization and psychometric paradigms as well as the integrated threat and cultural theories to explain how migration and terrorism are constructed as security threats and the attitudes of people towards these threats. The general outcome was that respondents felt there was no connection between terrorism and international migration. Recommendations such as improving border security, constructing a more security–conscious urban infrastructure to handle crisis situations and increased public awareness campaigns on terrorism and security were therefore made.