Life after deportation: A case of involuntary returned migrants in Ghana
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Date
2015-04-17
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University of Ghana
Abstract
The study examines the migration experiences and livelihoods of
deported migrants in Accra and Takoradi, within the framework of
DFID's Sustainable Livelihood framework and Cassarino's conceptual
framework. Data were gathered through a questionnaire survey, in-depth
interviews and field observations. The findings of the study
indicate that most deportees were engaged in low paid jobs, and also
had a short period of stay abroad, hence could not invest in the home
country. This invariably affected their preparation towards return.
Even though they were irregular migrants at the various destinations,
majority of them still maintained close ties with relatives and friends
in Ghana, and also remitted them as much as their meager resources
would allow. Their impromptu and 'empty handed return,' coupled
with the harsh economic situation in the home country, have made life
almost unbearable for the majority of them. The study revealed that
there are no well-organized and institutionalized support programs
by either state or non-state actors in Ghana for deportees, making it
very difficult for them to re-integrate into the home society.
Unsurprisingly, many of those who could not adjust and reintegrate
into the Ghanaian society are planning to re-migrate. A number of policy recommendations were proposed, based on the findings of the
study, to help improve the livelihood of deportees to prevent remigration
Description
School of social sciences colloquium
Keywords
Cassarino's conceptual framework, migration, deportees, livelihood, Ghana