Experiences of Spouses of Ghanaian Foreign Service Officers: An Analysis of Factors that Influence their Decision to Accompany or Not to Accompany their Spouses

Abstract

This study explored the experiences of spouses of Ghanaian Foreign Service Officers and their decision to accompany or not to accompany their partners to their new environment when he or she is due for posting. It focused on the interconnections among the factors and how they come together to shape one’s decision to be an accompanying spouse or not. The choice of the Foreign Service is due to the lifetime career to serve abroad by the Foreign Service Officer, the premise of dedication and representational responsibilities of spouses, making them unique from other groups of expatriates. Research conducted showed that one of the reasons for remaining within the Foreign Service is the opportunity to travel abroad. Yet, it is precisely all the movement involved that amounts to one of the major disadvantages, which is the blight on the career opportunities of the accompanying spouse. This qualitative study aimed to find out why spouses do not accompany their partners after the first or subsequent postings. Through semi-structured interviews, nineteen spouses of Foreign Service Officers in Accra participated in the study. The findings indicated that prior experience with language, social support, children’s education, and career development interconnected to influence the decision not to be an accompanying spouse. With language being the dominant factor permeating the others, spouses wanted these factors to be favourable and mutually inclusive before relocating again. The lack of recognition from the missions and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, and the inability of the ministry to reintegrate them into Ghanaian society also had considerable impact on the decision not to be an accompanying spouse. Spouses, who are mostly women are rejecting "traditional" patterns of incorporation into Foreign Service life and are not comfortable playing a supporting role. They want to pursue professional opportunities and have their own identity, which reflects a strong desire among millennials for innovation and individualism.