ABSTRACT
Migrant associations in different part of the world have been acknowledged by scholars due to the current expansion of such associations and their roles in the integration and adjustment processes for their members in host communities within destination countries. Though these associations have become globalized, existing literatures mostly focus on those in the developed countries like the USA especially migrants from Central and Latin America. Generally, in Ghana and Africa, literature on migrants associations are scanty as a result of absence of proper structures to monitor the affairs of these associations as well as the bureaucratic challenges when registering a group or an association. The study sought to tease out the benefits derived from migrants associations namely Nigerian Committee of Brothers, Nigerian Women and Edo State associations in Accra, Ghana and how members of these associations rely on them to ensure adjustment, integration and development. The study relied on secondary data retrieved from different sources as well in-depth interviews from five (5) key informants selected purposively from the associations. The study revealed that social network binds Nigerian migrants in complex social and interpersonal relationship away from their usual kinship-oriented networks (eg family system) using the associations as a substitute. The inability of Ghanaian state institutions to handle migrant needs effectively, the associations play expert roles to ensure their adjustment and integration into Ghana. Although the associations don’t serve as a direct mode of economic development, their social activism makes them useful social development agents in Ghana.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Globally, migrants irrespective of where they find themselves rely on one or more associations either of their own descent or one with common cultural and identity characteristics as their own. Migrants attraction to these associations worldwide is as a result of the different types of support and benefit received by its members (Okamura, 1983; Orozco and Rouse, 2007; Owusu, 2000). Several literature abound in migrant associations worldwide (Caglar, 2006) where destinations such as the USA have migrants from Latin and Central America forming associations. Other associations emanating from Mexico have been examined as a platform for which migrants from Mexico and its environs relied on for several opportunities (Mooney, 2003; Lopez et. al, 2001). This is an indication that associations formed by migrants in their destination have been explained differently by scholars in the literature. Some studies have focused on the significant areas such as leadership and member wellbeing, benefits and their entitlement as well as those that serve as a conduit with their hometowns (Okamura, 1983).
Migration involves several processes with integration as a major factor. This integration process affects immigrants in the host communities together with their descendants. The presence of migrants in the destination countries in itself is a key motivator to changing lifestyles and behaviour adjustment. This adjustment takes time as a result of migrants
„adaptation experience in the destination country, social and traditional environment as well as the host society’s friendliness to the newcomers (Saint-Maurice, 1997). Challenges migrants face upon arrival influence their actions especially during integration (Jenkins, 1988). Most of them as a result of problems emanating from the new environment create informal migrant groups which often give way to formal and well-structured group that
connect migrants through common origin and cultural traits. The aim of establishing these formal structures later changed into migrant associations.
In addition, some associations have been classified as a development tool with emphasis on creating wealth through mobilizing resources such as remittances to improve infrastructural development at their place of origin (Babcock, 2006; Silva, 2006; Akologo, 2005). Many scholars view immigration to have a relationship with economic fortunes and growth of the host country. For example in the United States, migration and increase in foreign-born labour in the 1990s played a significant role in stimulating growth in the U.S. economy (Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas). These immigrants form associations which later translate into helping new arrivals of migrants from their home countries in order to integrate and survive subsequently. It is in this regard that Adamson (2006) attributed international migration to enhancement rather than detracting from or compromising state power.
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
In spite of the numerous literature on migrant associations (Alarcon, 2000; Caglar, 2006) worldwide, studies on migrant groups or associations in West Africa or even Africa is scanty. Though, few studies exist, they report on the tie between groups or associations and development prospects by these association (Okafor & Honey, 1998). Although South-North migration is extensively researched from the perspective of developing countries to developed countries, south-south migration intra-regional migration is popular among African countries (Adepoju, 2010). West African migration corridor has been a long standing labour migration stream to and from Ghana. Significant proportion of the labour force in the Ghanaian mining sector were migrants from neighbouring West African countries such as Liberia, Nigeria among others (Beals and Menezes, 1970). According to Awumbila2010), Ghana’s wealth
Compares with its immediate neighbours was prolific therefore attracted immigrants from the sub- region.
Ghanaians perception about Nigerians being the largest in terms of number of West African migrant in Ghana was confirmed by the Ghana Statistical Service, (2010) that about four hundred thousand Nigerians lived in Ghana as at 2010 where majority of these work in the informal sector as traders..
In Ghana, information on migrants associations are scarce despite several existence of associations from pre-colonial era to contemporary times. This has contributed to the formation of different associations upon arrival of migrants at destination in order to meet their various needs. These essential needs according to Owusu (2000) include adjustment and integration difficulties in the host communities as well as the process to be considered when forming associations.
GENERAL OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The general objective is to understand the role Nigerian migrant association plays in the adjustment and integration of their members towards development in both Ghana and Nigeria.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
- To describe the profile of Nigerian migrant associations in Ghana.
- To ascertain how migrant associations help to adjust and integrate members into the host communities.
- To examine some of the challenges migrant associations face.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
- What roles do migrant associations play in the adjustment and integration process?
- 2. What are some of the challenges migrant associations face?
RATIONALE OF THE STUDY
The study adds to existing literature on the benefits of migrant associations in the way they adjust and integrate prospective migrants into the host communities. The study will unearth the contributions of immigrants to the Ghanaian economy and the social development they bring on board to improve the livelihood of both Nigerians and Ghanaians.
Finally, the study would provide evidence on how migrant associations contribute to the overall benefit of immigrant and their host communities.
