Centre for Migration Studies

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    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.
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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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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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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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    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.
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    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 enforced
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    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.
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    Migrants Economic Activities and their Impacts in the Ghanaian Economy: A Study of the New Juabeng Municipality
    (University of Ghana, 2019-09) Boateng, E.
    Migration is an enduring theme of human history and is considered one of the defining global issues of the twenty-first century. In Ghana, as in other parts of Africa, migration is largely informal and undocumented, making accurate data on the phenomenon extremely scanty. Migrants have been involved in a lot of activities that they are not permitted to do in the host country as defined within the borders of international protocols and agreements. Despite all this, there is little known about migrants‟ activities in Ghana. This study was to explore the activities of Nigerian Migrants and their impacts on the Ghanaian economy. The study area was Koforidua. Specifically, the study sought to: find out the socio-economic and demographic backgrounds of Nigerian migrants in the New Juabeng Municipality; find out the types of economic activities Nigerian migrants engage in in the New Juabeng Municipality; and to explore the impacts of the economic activities of the migrants in the study area. The study was both an exploratory and explanatory one that used the mixed method approach in answering the research question. Respondents were selected using a mixture of designs ranging from purposive, through to snowballing through the networks of Nigerian immigrants in Koforidua. It was discovered that Nigerian immigrants engage mainly in the informal sector economic activities that Ghanaians dominate, creating competitions that leads to throwing out some the Ghanaian traders out of business. However, the study also discovered some positive impacts of the Nigerian immigrants on the Ghanaian economy in Koforiduda. This includes employment of Ghanaians, payment of tax (though few) and patronage of food substances that are sold by Ghanaian vendors. The study recommends that strict measures must be put in place to enforce the rules and regulations in the country to country both the entry and the economic activities of immigrants in Ghana. It reminds the government to strengthen and enforce an efficient tax collecting system to ensure immigrants pay taxes for national development.