Citizenship, Authenticity, and Belonging in Europe and Ghana: The Case of the Ghanaian Migrant
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Date
2012-06
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Publisher
Ghana Social Science Journal
Abstract
This study analysed the perspectives of first generation Ghanaian migrants to
and from Europe regarding the changing definition of citizenship in Europe, and
how these perspectives, including the notion of authenticity, impacted
Ghanaian migrants' feelings of 'home' and 'belonging'. It examined 'belonging'
and authenticity in relation to the family at 'home', and looked at migrants'
feelings of belonging in the 'host' country in Europe in relation to their feelings
of belonging in their country of origin or 'home' country. The results indicated
that Ghanaian migrants tended to exhibit a more instrumental approach to the
acquisition of citizenship in Europe and were sceptical of 'belonging' in their
host country. When it came to the issue of 'belonging' in their home country,
Ghana, these migrants tended to exhibit less of an instrumental approach and
more of an emotional approach, making reintegration possible
Description
Ghana Social Science Journal, 9(1), 1-14
Keywords
Africa, Citizenship, Europe, Immigration, Migrant