Abstract
Different migration scholars have acknowledged the recent growth of migrant associations in different parts of the world. Though these associations are a worldwide phenomenon, existing literature draws mostly on those in the USA vis-a-vis, Latino migrants from Central and Latin America. In Ghana and Africa generally, literature on migrant associations is paltry. Those that exist only explore their development impacts on the migration sending areas. This paper discusses evidence from three Nigerian migrant associations regarding how they help members adjust and integrate in Ghana and their developmental impacts. The paper postulates that such social networks bind Nigerian migrants together in their new destinations and serve as substitutes for family relationships bonds. The associations play expert surrogate roles to ensure member adjustment and integration into Ghana. Though the associations are not direct vectors of economic development, their social activities make them useful social development agents in Ghana, their present location. Based on these, a policy case is made for the integration of migrant associations into Ghanaian migration policies. Keywords: Migrant Associations, Social Networking, Adjustment, Integration, Social Policies
Highlights
18 An earlier version of this paper titled ‘Nigerian Migrant Association in Accra, Ghana: Their Role in Adjustment, Integration and Development’ was presented at Session 605: Transnational Communities, Social Networks and International Migration of the 26th Conference of the International Union for the Scientific Study of Population (IUSSP) in Marrakech, Morocco (27 September to 2 October 2009)
The Nigerian Committee of Brothers’ Association is one of the three associations this paper focuses on
The discussions in this paper show that, Nigerian migration to Ghana has a long history, dating back to the caravan and pre-colonial times
Summary
Studies on migrant adjustment and integration are often situated in assimilationist, adaptation and segregationist frames of analysis. Peil observed at one breadth that, the migrants resisted to be assimilated In doing this, they employed a certain kind of residential segregation (often lived in separate part of towns known as Zongos), unique forms of social and political organization, and varying religious and cultural values to distinguish themselves from their Ghanaian hosts. They employed a certain kind of residential segregation (often lived in separate part of towns known as Zongos), unique forms of social and political organization, and varying religious and cultural values to distinguish themselves from their Ghanaian hosts In another breadth, Peil argued that, it was normal to find migrant farm labourers living in the same compound as their Ghanaian employers. The study benefitted from a few informal interactions with both association members and leaders
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