Matrix Dynamics of Migration Trends of Rural-Urban Population in Ghana

Lewis Brew

doi:10.11648/j.sjams.20180602.12

Abstract

This paper studies the migration trends of rural and urban populations in Ghana. The matrix method approximately determines the new population percentage values of rural and urban areas in Ghana from 2016 to 2020. The 2015 rural and urban population values were used as initial values for the projection of the other subsequent population values. The graph matrix and clustered column chart examined the trends relationship between rural and urban populations. The emerging trends of population migration at the rural and urban areas were discussed. The method revealed the upward and downward trends of populations in urban and rural areas. The accuracy of the method is proven by comparing the estimated results from the matrix method with those obtained from the website of index mundi in the literature. On the bases of these findings, the paper recommends the steps to be taken by the government and other policy makers in Ghana to avert excessive migration flow in the urban and rural areas respectively.

Highlights

The alarming rate of migration flow of rural-urban areas in developing countries especially Ghana and its immense effects, both short and long term is a source of worry and calls for proper investigation and immediate action [4]
In this paper we have introduced a method which is suitable for studying the migration trends of rural and urban populations
The method still has some limitations which can be investigated, it is believed to be a novel approach of applying matrix method in rural – urban population migration trends

Summary

Introduction

The alarming rate of migration flow of rural-urban areas in developing countries especially Ghana and its immense effects, both short and long term is a source of worry and calls for proper investigation and immediate action [4]. In Ghana, more than half of the Country’s population lives in towns and cities and the number is expected to increase if proper measures are not put in place [8] It is becoming difficult for the urban towns to accommodate the increasing number of the people from the rural areas as a result of limited basic social amenities. Majority of the people migrate from the Northern Region, Upper-East Region, Upper West Region and other parts of the country to the southern part of the country such as Accra, Sekondi-Takoradi, Tema and Kumasi to find work to improve their standard of living [7] This migration in the aforementioned areas occurs as a result of poverty, lack of decent housing, sanitation, health care and quality of education. According to [13] and [14], many migrants travel short distances and that, with increasing distance the number of migrants reduces

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Methods

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Discussion

Conclusion