Post-Migration Outcomes and the Decision to Return: Processes and Consequence on Development

Abstract

Who and why return and its impact on development have received less attention in African migration literature. Therefore this paper examines migration and return decisions in the Ghanaian context, especially, since the introduction of government programmes in 2001 to encourage the return of skilled migrants who have the capacity to contribute their quota to the development agenda of Ghana. Structured questionnaires were used to gather information on the migration trajectories of 120 return migrants. This was followed by in-depth-interviews which primarily sought in-depth understanding on the decision making processes. The findings indicate hat these migrants were motivated to return for two main reasons, namely, economic and social reasons. The economic reasons include availability of job opportunities in Ghana, availability of nvestment opportunities in Ghana and loss of job abroad. The social reasons include, decision to oin family, feeling home sick and difficulty in integrating abroad. The paper concludes that pre- migration intentions may not always march with real migration outcomes because a lot of obstacles or opportunities may compel the migrants to adjust their initial plan. The migrant may decide to explore better opportunities, may move on to new goals or may return to the point of departure with the same plan. The paper recommends a developmental policy that will include needs assessment measure for categories of returnees based on their intentions for migrating and coming home.