The Economic Contribution of Return Migrants to Bimbilla Community In The Nanumba North District

Abstract

For a very long time, migration had a negative connotation. It was associated with challenges such as brain drain and revenue among others. However, governments of developing countries such as Ghana and other international organizations have recognized the positive contribution of migration and have therefore instituted policies to gain the drained brain. Researches on return migration have also highlighted some of the developmental impacts of these return migrants. In spite of these various studies on return migration, little interest has been directed towards the return of migrants within Ghana. Only a handful of studies (Silva et al., 2008, Kwankye, et al., 2007; Rademacher-Schulz et al., 2014) have studied the return of migrants from the Southern part of Ghana to the Northern part of Ghana. This present study sought to find out the returnees’ reasons for returning to Bimbilla and examine the economic contribution of returnee migrants to Bimbilla. The study then outlined the policy implication of the findings. Using mixed research methods that specifically comprise of questionnaires and in-depth interviews, one hundred and twenty (120) return migrants were selected for the quantitative study. The qualitative aspect involved six (6) individuals who were engaged for the in-depth interviews. Samples were selected by adopting purposive and snowball sampling techniques. The quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS data analysis software (Version 22.0) while the qualitative data was analysed manually. Results of the analyses were discussed and presented using tables, figures/charts, frequencies and percentages. The findings indicated that though the highest percentage (27.5%) of the respondents were Senior High School (SHS) leavers, they were able to contribute to development in Bimbilla upon their return, they mostly assisted in farming activities and employment creation which have a positive effect on the Bimbilla community