Goals of Migrant and Non-Migrant Youth in Accra

Abstract

Many young people migrate from rural areas to urban areas with the view of attaining certain goals in order to improve their lives. The theory of migrant selectivity suggests that migrants are more ambitious and more driven than similar individuals in their places of origin, and also similar individuals in their places of destination. Based on this theory, this study sought to compare the goals, obstacles and strategies of migrants to those of non-migrants. The study also compares the goals, strategies and obstacles of migrants with different durations of stay in their communities of residence. The results of this study spelt out the need to create group-specific programmes and interventions when it comes to issues of youth poverty and migration. Using both qualitative and quantitative data, the study aimed to explore the goals migrants and non-migrants aspire to achieve, and how the strategies and obstacles towards the attainment of these goals differ. The study was done among 326 migrants and non-migrants between the ages of 15 to 24 years in James Town, Ussher Town and Agbogbloshie. It also included focus group discussions with 56 participants. The goals of the young people included their Relation/Intimacy goals, Generativity/Transcendentivity goals, School/Work Achievement goals and Other Achievement goals. Female respondents were more focused on relations goals and younger female non-migrants, on „avoidance‟ relations goals. Migrants who had been in the community for a period of 2-5 years are more streetwise and seek independence more. The study also found that educational goals were not popular among female migrants. Friendship groups, formed among the males, were used to support themselves economically. Unlike non-migrants, migrants seemed to work for the things they needed instead of „getting assistance‟. Also, while non-migrants joined organized groups for assistance, migrants helped others for favours xvi The study recommended reforms to extend free education and quality education to higher levels, and to generate jobs for young people in rural areas. It also recommended that the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection increase awareness on reproductive health risks, among migrants. The study also recommended efforts to increase young women‟s interest in education. Initiatives like LESDEP should be made more available, and perhaps should target people that need it more. Again, there should be more focus on migrant women when it comes to issues of reproductive health. The study also recommended that young migrants should be encouraged to join formal groups like churches and NGOs in order to attain needed assistance. Finally, the study recommended campaigns to make young people more aware of dangers that they are more prone to.