Leadership and Membership Structure of Migrant Associations: The Case of Nigerian Migrant Associations in Accra, Ghana

Abstract

Migrant associations are a worldwide phenomenon, featuring in much of the migration studies literature. However, much of these studies focus on migrant associations in the USA mostly of Latino migrants from Central and Latin America. In Africa and more particularly Ghana, literature on migrant associations is paltry. The few that exist only explore their development impacts on the migration sending areas. In this paper, I explore three Nigerian migrant associations in Accra, Ghana. The leadership and membership structures of the Nigerian Women, Nigerian Committee of Brothers and the Edo State associations in Accra, Ghana are under the spotlight of this discourse. Data for the study were generated using multiple ethnographic methods of observation, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs) and informal discussions. Other data types were obtained from association minutes, and other relevant documents. The findings of the paper indicate that, the associations operate under relatively durable organisational structures with well defined tenures of leadership. Memberships of the associations are not large, ranging between a little over seventy (70) and above two hundred (200). The membership of the three associations indicate that, new migrants show higher leaning to the associations, but leadership responsibilities are mostly entrusted in the hands of older migrants. And as in all human institutions, the associations show elements of discord and schism.