Return-Migration and Community Development: A Case of Kassena Nankana East Municipality, Ghana

Abstract

The phenomenon of return migration is gaining recognition within the field of migration studies. In Ghana, internal population movements have historically been significant. However, while international return migration and reintegration receive considerable attention, internal return migration is relatively understudied. Consequently, there is limited knowledge about how internal return migration affects critical issues such as community development and indigenous socio-cultural practices in the Ghanaian context. This research focuses on the internal return migrants of the Kassena Nankana East Municipality (KNEM) in Ghana to address this gap. The study explores the motivations for migration among these returnees, examines the process of return migration, and assesses the role of return migration in community development initiatives and indigenous socio-cultural practices within KNEM. Using a qualitative research methodology, interviews were conducted with 39 participants, including 35 internal return migrants and four key informants (opinion leaders) in KNEM. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were employed, and thematic analysis, assisted by NVIVO, was used to analyze the data. The study highlights a variety of reasons for leaving KNEM, largely shaped by socio demographic factors, with employment and economic motivations being the most common. Notably, the primary reason for return migration among most of KNEM's returnees was to retire or return home during old age. Other significant reasons included starting businesses after acquiring skills and capital, pursuing political ambitions, and fulfilling family and social responsibilities. Return migrants faced a mix of challenges and opportunities while away from KNEM, both positive and negative. Key experiences shared by participants include learning to adapt to different social and cultural environments, enhancing work ethics and perseverance, learning from social networks, achieving financial independence and discipline, and personal growth in terms of confidence and self-development. The study also finds that many return migrants were well-prepared psychologically, financially, and technically before returning to KNEM. Upon their return, they contributed significantly to their communities, especially by generating employment, offering skills training, and providing financial support through their entrepreneurial activities and investments. In terms of their influence on local socio-cultural practices, return migrants had both positive and negative effects. On the positive side, they promoted progressive attitudes toward female education and child marriage, opposed female genital mutilation, and encouraged a scientific approach to health and disease. However, some exhibited disregard for social norms and values that clashed with KNEM's traditional customs. The findings also reveal that most return migrants experienced a smooth reintegration process, which was largely attributed to the social capital and contacts they maintained during their time away, as well as their financial and economic status. From the perspective of local leaders and residents, respecting traditional customs and values is considered a key factor in ensuring the successful reintegration of return migrants in KNEM. Recommendations include further research on return migration within Ghanaian migration literature, greater government support—especially through institutions like MASLOC—to stimulate the local economy, and initiatives to educate on farming practices and create markets for agricultural products. Successful reintegration is seen as a joint effort between return migrants and KNEM residents, with community leaders and stakeholders playing an active role by providing opportunities for retraining and economic advancement.