CMS Projects

Research

Ongoing Research

Research and dissemination of the findings have continued to be one of the core activities of the Centre for Migration Studies. A major feature of the research activities carried out during the period covered in this report is the investigation of areas that have been neglected and the innovative nature of the methodologies used by some of the research projects. 

Action Against Trafficking in Persons into, from and within Ghana Project (Aatip) (2022 – 2024)

Partners - University of Ghana, Free Slaves, Bureau of Integrated Rural Development, KNUST, European Union Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF), The International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD).  

Abstract - The general objective is to examine the contextual issues embedded in incidents of human smuggling and human trafficking from, within and into Ghana, and to build the capacity of requisite institutions to detect, prevent, arrest and prosecute perpetrators while safeguarding the rights and rehabilitation of victims with the overarching goal of reducing incidence of trafficking in persons and protecting victims. The project will contribute to efforts to ensure that Ghana reduces  incidence of trafficking in persons and protection of victims by complying with the minimum standards of  the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) and to deliver SDG target 8.7: 'take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms.' 

  • Partners – Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), Canada. 

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  • Abstract - The Urban Sanctuary, Migrant Solidarity, and Hospitality in Global Perspective partnership brings together 36 academics and 36 partner organizations to co-develop and share evidence-based knowledge related to the policies and practices of accommodating vulnerable and precarious migrants and refugees in major urban centres in Africa, Europe, North America, and Latin America. The Urban Sanctuary, Migrant Solidarity, and Hospitality in Global Perspective partnership are a team of international academics and cross-sectoral partners that examine the complex and multifaceted approaches to migrant and refugee settlement. We aim to help urban decision makers develop innovative policies of migrant and refugee inclusion, while enhancing scholarly knowledge. 

 

  • Partners – Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Germany, University of Passau, University of Dortmund, University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University of Ouaga, University of Ibadan. 

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  • Abstract - West Africa is a region of migration par excellence. However, contrary to the popular image of a dominant West African-European migration nexus, 90% of international migration from West Africa takes place within the region (IOM, 2021). In addition to these estimated 8 million international migrants, millions of people migrate within their country, temporally, seasonally or permanently. Analyses of these mobilities either tend to focus on social and economic impacts in migrants' places of origin or at their destinations. By applying a translocal livelihood and mobility approach on the household level, our project focusses on the interlinkages and dynamics between these places. Hereby, we seek to better understand the drivers, practices, structures and processes of rural-urban and cross-border migration and their interconnected impacts for rural and urban settings. Focusing on Burkina Faso, Ghana and Nigeria, we emphasize challenges on social, political and ecological levels such as land use and changing gender relations, the growth of urban agglomerations and environmental change. 

  • Partners – European Union, Beweging.net, The open Network for community development, International institution for social studies, Migration Citoyennete Development, Bergische Universitat Wuppertal, CNCA, GERM, Wisssenschaft Fur Menschen, University of Ghana, KU LEUVEN Research Institute for work and society, EAPN, Universiteit Gent, IMS Institute for media studies and Theatre Theatre De velle Bruxellois Brussels Stadstheatre City. 
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  • Abstract - OPPORTUNITIES bring together migrants, citizens, and stakeholders on national, local, and regional levels in several African and European countries, encouraging them to listen to each other and to create shared narratives of migration. The main objective of these cross-talks, a method of collaborative storytelling designed for the project, is to establish common ground for a fair conversation that seeks to integrate African and European perspectives. On national and transnational levels, we seek to introduce the notion of level telling fields, initiating a new debate on migration and integration. OPPORTUNITIES invite civil society as well as policy makers to adopt and implement the fair dialogue approach introduced over the course of this project. 

  • Partners – UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) Collective Programme, University of Glasgow, Ignite Theater Center, Noyam African Dance Institute, University of Ghana, CRIM-UNAM, IBBY Mexico, NAWA for Culture, Islamic University Gaza, Racines, Keele University, UK, CHIPAWO and LitFest Harare. 
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  • Abstract - The focus is to strengthen artistic and cultural institutions in Low-and Middle-Income Countries so that they can become a reference point for the identification and transformation of social conflict whilst ensuring equal participation of women and girls in this process. The project works with arts and cultural institutions in LMIC countries. Through a 'conflict transformation' approach and a full and equitable participation of women and girls, CUSP works to strengthen LMIC arts and cultural institutions so they can become a reference point for the identification and transformation of social conflict, including gender-based violence, coercion and injustice. All CUSP's work is grounded in considerations of environmental justice and respect for local and indigenous knowledges and practices. 

  • Partners – UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) GCRF, China Agricultural University, University of Ghana.  
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  • Abstract - The China-Ghana migration corridor is characterised by the flow of migrants in both directions (i.e. from Ghana to China and from China to Ghana). However, it is Chinese migration to Ghana and other African countries that has generated much interest in the South-South migration literature. While the level of migration between China and Ghana is relatively small in terms of absolute numbers, its impact is very significant due to the level of parallel Chinese investment in infrastructure projects and in private business. Moreover, it reflects a much longer term and wider trend of investment and south-south migration from China to Africa. While the focus of the literature on Chinese migration into Africa has been on formal sector government-to-government projects, especially large-scale construction projects, the Ghana-China corridor is a good example of irregular migration into informal sectors in both directions. The corridor provides a good example of Chinese migration that is not connected to government-related projects but rather involves informal, middle/small scale investment and engagement in petty trading by establishing networks with Ghanaian traders, despite the fact that this is not allowed under Ghanaian law. The research along this corridor will focus on how Chinese investments are stimulating the economy of Ghana as well as on how the resulting trade is leading to new patterns of migration of Ghanaian traders to the Guangzhou and Yiwu regions of China, displacing old forms of inequalities. It will also explore the differential patterns and impacts of migration, employment, and money flows on gender inequalities. 

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  • Researchers – Prof. Joseph Kofi Teye, Dr. Edward Asiedu, Prof. Godfred A. Bokpin, Prof. Joseph Awetori Yaro, Prof. Mariama Awumbila, Dr. Leander Kandilige, Prof. Mary Boatemaa Setrana,   

  • Partners – DANIDA, Danish Institute for International Studies, Denmark, Forum for Social Studies, Ethiopia. 
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  • Abstract - This project seeks to determine how differing governance contexts, national and local, affect adaptive climate mobility in Ghana and Ethiopia. It specifically examines the interplay between national and local governance on climate and migration. This is based on our recognition that government strategies and policies at the national level both frame and are mediated by local government and informal institutions, directly affecting households' management of their livelihoods, including climate change adaptation. The project seeks to rely on field data to make recommendations to government agencies and ministries on how institutional interventions and practices can be used to support adaptive climate mobility. Findings from the field studies are expected to provide insights on climate mobility practices to the Ethiopian and Ghanaian governments and to global actors. In Ghana, the study is being conducted in the Upper West region and Eastern region of Ghana by the Centre for Migration Studies. 

  • Partners - Peace Research Institute Oslo (coordinator), Danube University Krems, University of Ghana, Koç University, Lahore University of Management Sciences, Maastricht University, the Overseas Development Institute, the University of Oxford and Samuel Hall 
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  • Abstract - MIGNEX – Aligning Migration Management and the Migration–Development Nexus – is a five-year research project (2018–2023) with the core ambition of creating new knowledge on migration, development and policy. It involves researchers at nine institutions in Europe, Africa and Asia. MIGNEX is driven by one overarching objective: Contribute to more effective and coherent migration management through evidence-based understanding of the linkages between development and migration. 

  • Partners – Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), Open University, University of Ghana, African Migration and Development Policy Centre, Network of Migration Research on Africa and University Eduardo Mondlane. 
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  • Abstract - The Migration for Inclusive African Growth (MIAG) network recognizes the role of migrants and the need for integration by bringing together researchers from multiple academic disciplines and non-academic stakeholders from public, private, and third sectors in Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique and Nigeria to: (a) understand how different migrant groups contribute to inclusive growth and (b) enhance this contribution by identifying practice and policy lessons and co-designing knowledge exchange tools for migrants and the local actors they engage. 

Research

Past Projects

Assessing the Economic Contribution of Labour Migration in Developing Countries as Countries of Destination

 

This project seeks to address a critical gap in knowledge about the operations of a major transnational business which has a direct bearing on the livelihood strategies adopted by Ghanaian migrants in their attempt to participate in socio-economic development in their country of origin.  ‘Door-to-Door’ operators are businesses that collect and ship goods from specific addresses in the UK to specific addresses in Ghana.   

This study is part of the Research Component of the European Union-funded project titled “Migrants in Countries in Crisis: Supporting an Evidence-based Approach for Effective and Cooperative State Action” which aims at providing accessible, methodologically robust and policy relevant data on the migration implications of crisis situations in host countries.   

 

This study examines the impact of rural-urban migration on the welfare of migrant-sending households in Ghana by exploring what their living standards might have been had their migrant members remained at home. While earlier counterfactual analysis largely focused on economic gains and losses, we also examined social counterfactuals of migration to cities. The data were obtained from a household survey conducted among 1,132 households selected from five regions of Ghana

 

The NUFFIC project aims at providing institutional support to the Centre for Migrations Studies to strengthen its capacity to address research, teaching and training and policy gaps in migration studies and to provide policy advice, training and consultancy work on migration to stakeholders. The MDF consortium is made up of the Institute of Social Studies (The Hague), the Radboud University (Nijmegen) and led by MDF Training & Consultancy (EDF). 

 

The "Facilitating Intra Regional Labour Migration in the ECOWAS Region" project seeks to improve the evidence base for programmes and policies aiming at facilitating labour mobility within the region of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). It is a nine (9) month research project commissioned by the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Observatory on Migration based in Brussels. 

 

MAFE: a joint study between civil society and researchers for a better understanding of Ghanaian migrations.  

MAFE aims at: 

  • producing reliable data and statistics on migrations between Ghana and Europe 

  • share and discuss results with decision-makers, migrants and civil society 

More than 1 500 migrants and their family will be contacted in Accra and Kumasi and in the Netherlands and the UK in 2009. 

 

Project Justification and Purpose: Irregular migration from Africa to Europe has been a persistent phenomenon in the last few decades. In Ghana irregular migration has also been on the increase though there is no actual data to support this. However, despite the increasing reports of Ghanaians involved in irregular migration there is little empirical research to aid our understanding of the nature, scale, and recent evolution of irregular Ghanaian migration. In the light of this, the study aims at undertaking research in selected communities in two districts in the Brong-Ahafo Region in Ghana. This research project was funded by the British High Commission. 

 

The "Migrating out of Poverty" Research Programme (RPC) is a consortium of universities and research institutions undertaking research focusing on the relationship between migration and poverty in six regions across Asia, Africa and Europe. The project funded by the UK's Department for International Development will run from 2011 to 2017. The RPC is coordinated by the University of Sussex. 

 

Transnational family arrangements are prevalent in the world over with one or both parents located overseas and children left in their country of origin to be raised by an extended family member or friend. In some cases such arrangements are the result of stringent migration policies in Europe and elsewhere in the global North, which make it difficult for families to migrate together. In others, they are the preferred choice of family members especially in societies where child fostering is a common practice such as in many places in Africa.