Hometown Development in Ghana: The Role of Internal Migrant Student Associations in the University of Ghana

Abstract

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.