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Project
3b(1)
The North-South Migration of Children
in Ghana
Internal migration has been one major process
of population distribution in Ghana, particularly north-south migration.
While conscious efforts were made to develop the forest and coastal
belts for the production of minerals, cash crops and timber products
for export facilitated by the creation of ports and harbours on
the coast, the north was by and large ignored. More recently, liberalisation
and economic reforms have seriously affected northern agriculture,
primarily though the removal of fertiliser subsidies. The consequence
of this uneven development has been that the north has constituted
a major source of labour supply for the industries and agriculture
in the south, reflecting the impoverishment in the north and the
relative buoyant urban economy in the south.
One dominant migration stream from north
to south is that of female adolescents, moving largely towards the
cities of Accra and Kumasi, not always with positive outcomes for
the migrants. Young migrants adopt diverse survival strategies,
and away from support from their home communities and families,
are exposed to both physical and reproductive health risks.
This study will examine the characteristics
of contemporary migrants and investigate the impact of migration
on the vulnerability of young migrants at destination. It will analyse
the reasons stated for their decision to migrate, and provide policy
suggestions on who the current wave of north-south migration might
be made to work for the country’s and migrants’ advantage.
Key Research Questions
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What categories of persons are involved
in the current spate of north-south migration flows and how
significant are young female migrants in these flows? |
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In what respects is young migrants’
vulnerability exploited to their disadvantage in destination
areas? |
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How can the benefits to migrants be maximised,
and risks minimised, especially in respect of their reproductive
and health rights? |
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Key Theme(s)
Gender and Generations
Type(s) of Migration
Child
Migration
Region
Ghana / Africa
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Convenor
Ann
Whitehead
Investigators
John
Anarfi (ISSER),
Stephen
Kwankye (RIPS)
Key Activities
| 1. |
Review of literature as preparation
for a methodological workshop on child migration; surveys
and case studies in Accra and Kumasi, tracing the trajectories
of migration from origin to destination or vice versa;
analysis of findings |
Key Outputs
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A report on patterns
of migration in Ghana |
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A presentation of
research at workshop on intergenerational distribution
of costs and benefits of migration and at other relevant
seminars/conferences |
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Working papers on
the costs and benefits of migration and/or on decision
making processes and/or health issues leading to contributions
to edited volume on autonomous child migration |
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Policy workshop in
Ghana if some outside funding can be obtained |
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