Centre for Migration Studies

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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    Resilience Of Irregular Migration of Ghanaians Across the Sahara Desert to Libya
    (University of Ghana, 2020-10) Akoto, Bismark
    Given 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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.).