MIASA Working Papers 1
Permanent URI for this collection
The MIASA Working Paper series serves to disseminate the research results of work in progress prior to publication in order to encourage the exchange of ideas and academic debate. The series aims to publish research findings.
Browse
Recent Submissions
Item Same policy but different implications for different people? An analysis of how diverse categories of ECOWAS nationals experience the Free Movement Protocol(Merian Institute for Advanced Studies in Africa (MIASA), 2020-08) Yeboah, Thomas; Kandilige, Leander; Bisong, Amanda; Garba, Faisal; Kofi Teye, JosephThe adoption and implementation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Free Movement Protocol was meant to facilitate trade, investment and easy movement of persons within the West African sub-region. A number of empirical studies have been conducted on the ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol, its operationalization, and implementation challenges. Studies have drawn attention to areas of progress, success stories and difficulties associated with movement, residence and rights of establishment. However, little is known about how different aspects of the Protocol impact differently on diverse groups of ECOWAS migrants. This has created the impression that the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement has homogenous implications for all ECOWAS migrants. Drawing on desk-based research complemented by a critical literature review of policy documents and data/administrative records and by 23 in-depth interviews conducted with different ECOWAS nationals living and working in different sectors in Ghana as well as immigration officials and a trade union representative, this paper examines the diversity of experiences of ECOWAS migrants in relation to the Free Movement Protocol. The findings suggest that the experiences of ECOWAS nationals in areas such as awareness and knowledge of provisions in the Protocol, border crossing, processes of acquiring residence and work permits and renewing permits, as well as rights of establishment differ remarkably by dimensions of social difference. While the Protocol on Free Movement has enabled ECOWAS citizens to benefit from opportunities in member countries and from enhanced regional integration, there remain a number of challenges. Above all, the experiences of ECOWAS migrants with respect to the Protocol are not the same for everyone. Issues such as age, gender, social class, and nationality, among others, are fundamental and shape the experiences of ECOWAS migrants in divergent ways. The paper concludes with targeted suggestions for promoting intra-regional migration while addressing the diversity of experiences of ECOWAS migrants.Item Large-scale Agricultural Investments and Female Employment in Nigerian Communities(Merian Institute for Advanced Studies in Africa (MIASA), 2022-04) Edafe, Oluwatosin; Osabuohien, Evans; Osabohien, RomanusThis study examines how large-scale agricultural investments (LSAIs) affect employment outcomes of female-headed households in Nigeria. It focuses on wage income and labour allocations to agricultural activities for households in communities with LSAIs in comparison with households in communities without LSAIs. It engages Wave 4 (2018/2019) of the Living Standards Measurement Study-Integrated Surveys on Agriculture (LSMS-ISA) dataset using the Propensity Score Matching (PSM) technique. The results show a positive relationship with the household agricultural wage income but a negative relationship with the labour allocation to agricultural activities. Furthermore, the results indicate that households in communities with LSAIs receive higher wages and spend fewer hours in agricultural activities. Also, though female-headed households spend more hours on agricultural activities than the male-headed households, they earn less. Therefore, the study submits some recommendations on how to reduce the possible adverse effects of LSAIs and optimise its positive impact, especially for females in rural communities where most of such investments occur.