The Underside of the Free Movement within the ECOWAS Bloc: Vulnerabilities and Policy Dimensions of Children on the Move
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Date
2019-04-10
Journal Title
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Publisher
University of Ghana
Abstract
The ECOWAS Free Movement Protocol was enacted to facilitate intra-regional mobility and
promote socio-economic development in the West African sub-region. It has an instrument titled
‘ECOWAS Support Procedures and Standards for the Protection and Reintegration of
Vulnerable Children on the Move and Young Migrants’. While studies have examined
different aspects of the free movement of persons and goods as well as the associated
implementation challenges, little is known about the mobility trajectories of young people and
children in the sub-region, including the complex underlying factors that shape their migration
motives, opportunities and vulnerabilities as well as the policy dimensions of their movement.
Drawing on different research works and experiences, this presentation focuses on three main
inter-related issues on the movement of the young people/children within the context of free
movement regime in West Africa. First, with reference to the migration infrastructures concept,
we examine the different migration patterns of young people and the complex interplay of natural
and demographic factors, social networks, and human agency, among other factors that account
for the movement of young people within, out and into Ghana under the ECOWAS free movement
regime. Second we examine the trafficking of children as a consequence of child migration and
sustained socio-cultural practices such as child fostering. Ghana is often described as a source,
transit and destination country for human trafficking. This means victims of trafficking, both adults
and children are in the mix of the huge numbers of migrants within the country and in the sub
region. Thirdly we examine the legal documents, laws and policies on migration that directly or
indirectly affect young migrants. We suggest that current knowledge and perspectives regarding
free movement in the ECOWAS Bloc largely exclude the dynamics of the movement of young
people. While there are various migration-related policies to protect young people, there is no
single comprehensive policy to facilitate, promote and protect the migration of young people with
respect to the dynamics of child migration. We suggest the need for revision of existing legal
frameworks and the development of innovative policies and interventions that take into
consideration the dynamics of the movements, characteristics of the young people/children and the
different actors involved in this migration stream instead of the simplistic and ad hoc approaches.
Description
Dr. Delali M. Badasu is immediate past Director of the Centre for Migration Studies (2013- 2017)
and a Senior Research Fellow at the Regional Institute Population Studies (RIPS) at University of
Ghana. She holds a PhD in Geography and Resource Development, M.A. (Population Studies) and
B.A. Hons, (Economics/Geography) from the University of Ghana. She also holds MA
(Geography) from University of Alberta, Canada. Her research interests have been in population
and development with focus on migration, urbanization and health and nutritional status of
migrants’ children. Her recent research focus is on collective remittances transfer governance and
economic growth impacts.
Dr. Thomas Yeboah is a Research Associate, with the Center for Trust Peace and Social Relations (CTPSR) at Coventry University. He had his BA (2012) in Geography and Rural Development from the KNUST, Ghana and MPhil (2012-2013) and PhD (2014-2018) Development Studies from the University of Cambridge, UK. His main research interest is on migrants, and how their aspirations, identities and lived experiences are shaped by local and global forces and the supportive role of social networks. He is also interested in south-south migration, inequality and development. Prior to Joining CTPSR, he collaborated with (IDS) Sussex on a DFID funded research on how young people engage in the rural economy of Africa as the Ghana Country Researcher. He is among the first cohort of Matasa fellows (2016) at (IDS), Sussex, UK, a Mastercard funded programme that seeks to develop a cohort of young African researchers with the skills and commitment to engage in policy-oriented research around the challenges of young people and employment in Africa
Mrs. Abena Annobea Asare is Deputy Director at the Human Trafficking Secretariat under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MOGCSP) with 11 years working experience on issues of gender based violence, child protection, child labor, migration and human trafficking related issues. She has facilitated many capacity building training programs, engaged in advocacy programs, served as a resource person and supported the rescue, rehabilitation and reintegration of over 900 child and adult trafficking victims. She holds a Master’s degree in Migration Studies (M.A) at the University of Ghana, Legon Center for Migration Studies. She has two first degrees; BSoSc in Gender and Transformation Studies, University of Cape Town, South Africa and Bachelor of Arts Honors in Political Science Major and Sociology Minors at the University of Ghana, Legon. Additional she holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Administration, GIMPA and a Post Graduate Certificate in Women Leadership and Social Management from the China Women’s University, Beijing. Her Master’s degree research topic focused on children in migration and migration policy focusing on the Ghanaian context. The first degree looked at the gendered dimensions of child trafficking, stories told by the women who trafficked their children themselves. Since she has a passion for teaching and lecturing, she started as a guest lecturer at the New York University, Ghana Branch at Osu in 2014 to 2015, and continued at the Legon Center for Gender Studies (CEGENSA) from 2015 till date. She is married with two kids and love reading, music and sports.
Mr. Joha I. Braimah, Free the Slaves Ghana Country Director, Doctoral Candidate in Migration StudiesLegon. Joha I. Braimah has over thirteen years of practical experience in developing programs for community development, children affected by trafficking and separation from parents. He led a program in Ghana's poorest northern regions to return children home, designing vocational and educational programs for these children and their families. He took the initiative to create a successful network of child protection groups in that region to advocate for children's rights, as well as effectively raising and managing funds for the organization. He is experienced in persuading the authorities to take action for vulnerable groups. He was also a professional teacher for 5 years. Since 2011, Joha has helped to design and implement anti-slavery and trafficking programs in sectors such as fishing, cocoa, mining, domestic servitude and sex trafficking in collaboration with government entities and grassroots partners as well as fund raising for FTS. He is an active participant in shaping national policy. Joha also serves on the board of International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) Geneva, where he is also an Executive Committee member. He is a member of National Steering Committee against Child Labour and the Technical Working Committee of Ghana Anti Human Trafficking Management Board. Joha is an alumnus of American Express Leadership Academy, International Visitors Leadership Program, Trent in Ghana Program, Thunderbird School of Global Management and University of Ghana.
Dr. Thomas Yeboah is a Research Associate, with the Center for Trust Peace and Social Relations (CTPSR) at Coventry University. He had his BA (2012) in Geography and Rural Development from the KNUST, Ghana and MPhil (2012-2013) and PhD (2014-2018) Development Studies from the University of Cambridge, UK. His main research interest is on migrants, and how their aspirations, identities and lived experiences are shaped by local and global forces and the supportive role of social networks. He is also interested in south-south migration, inequality and development. Prior to Joining CTPSR, he collaborated with (IDS) Sussex on a DFID funded research on how young people engage in the rural economy of Africa as the Ghana Country Researcher. He is among the first cohort of Matasa fellows (2016) at (IDS), Sussex, UK, a Mastercard funded programme that seeks to develop a cohort of young African researchers with the skills and commitment to engage in policy-oriented research around the challenges of young people and employment in Africa
Mrs. Abena Annobea Asare is Deputy Director at the Human Trafficking Secretariat under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MOGCSP) with 11 years working experience on issues of gender based violence, child protection, child labor, migration and human trafficking related issues. She has facilitated many capacity building training programs, engaged in advocacy programs, served as a resource person and supported the rescue, rehabilitation and reintegration of over 900 child and adult trafficking victims. She holds a Master’s degree in Migration Studies (M.A) at the University of Ghana, Legon Center for Migration Studies. She has two first degrees; BSoSc in Gender and Transformation Studies, University of Cape Town, South Africa and Bachelor of Arts Honors in Political Science Major and Sociology Minors at the University of Ghana, Legon. Additional she holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Administration, GIMPA and a Post Graduate Certificate in Women Leadership and Social Management from the China Women’s University, Beijing. Her Master’s degree research topic focused on children in migration and migration policy focusing on the Ghanaian context. The first degree looked at the gendered dimensions of child trafficking, stories told by the women who trafficked their children themselves. Since she has a passion for teaching and lecturing, she started as a guest lecturer at the New York University, Ghana Branch at Osu in 2014 to 2015, and continued at the Legon Center for Gender Studies (CEGENSA) from 2015 till date. She is married with two kids and love reading, music and sports.
Mr. Joha I. Braimah, Free the Slaves Ghana Country Director, Doctoral Candidate in Migration StudiesLegon. Joha I. Braimah has over thirteen years of practical experience in developing programs for community development, children affected by trafficking and separation from parents. He led a program in Ghana's poorest northern regions to return children home, designing vocational and educational programs for these children and their families. He took the initiative to create a successful network of child protection groups in that region to advocate for children's rights, as well as effectively raising and managing funds for the organization. He is experienced in persuading the authorities to take action for vulnerable groups. He was also a professional teacher for 5 years. Since 2011, Joha has helped to design and implement anti-slavery and trafficking programs in sectors such as fishing, cocoa, mining, domestic servitude and sex trafficking in collaboration with government entities and grassroots partners as well as fund raising for FTS. He is an active participant in shaping national policy. Joha also serves on the board of International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) Geneva, where he is also an Executive Committee member. He is a member of National Steering Committee against Child Labour and the Technical Working Committee of Ghana Anti Human Trafficking Management Board. Joha is an alumnus of American Express Leadership Academy, International Visitors Leadership Program, Trent in Ghana Program, Thunderbird School of Global Management and University of Ghana.
Keywords
ECOWAS, Africa, Policies, Vulnerability