The kaya yei phenomenon in Ghana: female migration from the upper-west region to Kumasi and Accra.

Abstract

migrants and regarded women mostly as associational migrants who accompanied their husbands or close relations to urban centres. Within the last two to three decades, there has been the phenomenon of independent migration among women within and between countries. This paper focuses on independent migration of females from a rural district (in the Upper-West Region) to the two leading cities ( Kumasi and Accra) in Ghana. Eighty-three females from the Wa district, and working in Kumasi and Accra were interviewed. In addition, one focus group discussion was held in Kumasi. The migration of females from the less developed Upper-West Region to the more developed enclaves in the south to work as head porters (kaya yei ) is related to a process which provides the women with economic and social independence which they could not have achieved in their place of origin. Although there are some inherent difficulties and/or risks associated with the kaya yei business, the study revealed that the women have benefited from migration through improvement in their economic situation and physical appearances. This migration of females from rural areas of the Wa District to the two cities has implications for the discourse on gender-based migration.