Back Home at Last! Factors affecting reintegration of Ghanaian Return Migrants

Abstract

The paper presents the migration experience factors underlying returnees’ reintegration into their countries of origin. Questionnaires were used to gather information on three main areas: return migrants’ socio-demographic characteristics and migration trajectories, migration experiences abroad and post-return experiences. This was followed by in-depth-interviews and observations which primarily looked at the social and economic reintegration processes. The study focused on Ghana since various governments of Ghana have pursued different return migration programs in the early 1990’s with the aim of attracting especially skilled Ghanaian nationals abroad. The paper found that returnees, who maintain links with home through remittances, visits and telephone calls, were abreast with prevailing conditions in the home country and received support from friends and relatives on return. Return migrants keep ties with host countries for the sake of businesses and other benefits, which may not be readily available in the home country. Unsuccessful reintegration is not only limited to refugees or involuntary returnees but also found among voluntary and skilled returnees.