The Role of Migrant Associations in Adjustment, Integration and Social Development: The Case of Nigerian Migrant Associations in Accra, Ghana

Abstract

Different migration scholars have acknowledged the recent growth of migrant associations in different parts of the world. Though these associations are a worldwide phenomenon, existing literature draws mostly on those in the USA avis, Latino migrants from Central and Latin America. In Ghana and Africa generally, literature on migrant associations is paltry. Those that exist only explore their development impacts on the migration sending areas. This paper discusses evidence from three Nigerian migrant associations regarding how they help members adjust and integrate in Ghana and their developmental impacts. The paper postulates that social networks bind Nigerian migrants together in their new destinations and serve as substitutes for family relationship bonds lost as a result of migration. The associations play expert surrogate roles to ensure member adjustment and integration into Ghana. Though the associations are not direct vectors of economic development, their social activities make them useful social development agents in Ghana. Based on these, a policy case is made for integration of migrant associations into Ghanaian migration policies.