Effects of Rural-Urban Migration on Socioeconomic Status in the Accra Metropolitan District

Abstract

Rural urban migration has been a phenomenon that has gained world attention due to its associated challenges. This study sought to find out the effects of rural urban migration on the socio-demographic characteristics of migrants living in Abossey Okai Zongo. Using a mixed method approach, both qualitative and quantitative methods were applied in the administration of 100 semi-structured questionnaires. The questionnaires were administered using a multi-staged approach. Respondents generally have low socio-demographic status. However, the results also indicate that respondents experience improvement in their livelihoods after migrating from the rural areas to Accra. The study also revealed that there are a lot of challenges that migrants go through in urban areas which include high rent cost, high cost of living, shortage of water, among others. The major coping strategy adopted by migrants to reduce the challenges they go through is by their association with religious and social groups. It recommended that although the government has made education free up to the senior high level, efforts are made to ensure its sustainability and measures put in place so that people within the school going age will be enrolled and educated. The study also recommends that efforts are put in place by district assemblies and other development agents in rural areas to boost local capacity so that equal opportunities can be provided between rural and urban areas. Also, there should be education on the need for more private people and groups to assist government in the provision of certain services in the urban centres. Future research should focus on identifying the reasons why there is a relationship between gender and improvement in livelihood of migrants.