Reintegration of return migrants in selected communities in the Northern Region of Ghana

Abstract

The main objective of the study was to examine how the socio-economic environment of home communities helped in the reintegration of return migrants in selected communities in the Northern Region of Ghana. The macro-methodological theory underlying the study was interpretivism. Mixed and multi-stage sampling techniques were used in selecting respondents in 30 communities from eight MMD Assemblies in the Northern Region of Ghana. The study used interview schedules in collecting quantitative data while FGD guides were used to gather the qualitative data. The quantitative data were analysed with the SPSS, (16) software. The qualitative data were organised into themes and analysed with the interpretivist and inductive approach and framed within the functional capabilities approach to human development. The main findings of the study were: the destination areas provided better economic opportunities while the home communities provided better social opportunities and thus, migrants were able to remit from their destination areas to support their kins at home at various intervals. Additionally, there were reciprocal support relationships between return migrants and their social networks which affected the reintegration of the return migrants. The study recommends the promotion of sustainable income-earning opportunities in the Northern Region of Ghana to help the reintegration of return migrants. Furthermore, efficient irrigation systems should be provided to support all-year round farming activities in the Northern Region of Ghana.