Do transnational links matter after return? Labour market participation among Ghanaian return migrants

Previous studies on transnationalism have looked at ‘remittances’ and ‘short-term visits’ to the home community and its transformational impact. However, little attention has been given to how transnational links enable return migrants to economically reintegrate into the home community. Although transnationalism describes return migration as a circular movement, there is still evidence of permanent return. Using Ghana as an example, this paper examines the conditions, strategies, assets and labour participation of return migrants. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods in investigating its set objectives. The study found that for wage employed returnees, maintaining professional contacts abroad is a key factor in ensuring their sustenance in the local and global job market. On the other hand, having investments abroad is important for self-employed returnees to sustain their return. The paper suggests that in order to promote national development and enhance national competitiveness in a globalizing world, Ghana needs to strengthen both its educational and business sectors. With this goal in mind, Ghana needs to encourage collaboration amongst its residents abroad and encourage opportunities for the sharing of knowledge and expertise

Migration, Farmer-Herder Conflict and the Challenges of Peacebuilding in the Agogo Traditional Area, Ghana

Recently, communities in Agogo Traditional Area (ATA) have witnessed an increasing spate of violence leading to loss of lives, loss of livelihoods, insecurity and severe injury among others. This article explores the “local” in peacebuilding by addressing the following research questions: first, how do Agogo indigenes in the diaspora contribute to peacebuilding in Agogo Traditional Area? Second, in which ways do the engagement of Fulani herders and indigenous farmers influence the process of peacebuilding in Agogo Traditional Area? The article employed in-depth interviews, participant observation, key informant interviews and focus group discussions in the data collection process. From an interdisciplinary perspective, the research has introduced the activities of transnational migrants into the discourse of peacebuilding as it positions Ghanaians in the diaspora as local actors engaged in the farmer-herder conflict in ATA. This study has shown that in the case of ATA, despite the potential benefits of the local peacebuilding including the contribution of the diaspora, it is bedeviled with challenges such as mistrust and inadequate resources. The article recommends that local peacebuilding be detached from adjudication in the court of law because the local actors perceive the court as external and ambivalent to the cultural context of local conflicts

An Assessment of Ghana’s Policies and Institutional Framework to Promote State-led Academic Diaspora Engagement

Despite African governments’ increased interest in tapping the developmentpotential of their diaspora, the transfer of skills by professors andresearchers in higher education institutions abroad has received limitedattention. Known as the academic diaspora, these groups are recognised asreliable mediators for African universities in the midst of unending globalisation,transnationalism and internationalisation of higher education. Thisarticle explores Ghana’s policy environment and institutional frameworkto tap the development potential of its academic diaspora for higher education.We conclude that capacity building and the extension of rights andprivileges are important elements that need to be embraced by the governmentto motivate experienced and highly skilled academics to contribute tothe country’s higher education sector. Key words: academic diaspora, Ghana, diaspora engagement, highereducation, skills transfer, brain gai

An Assessment of Ghana’s Policies and Institutional Framework to Promote State-led Academic Diaspora Engagement

Despite African governments’ increased interest in tapping the development potential of their diaspora, the transfer of skills by professors and researchers in higher education institutions abroad has received limited attention. Known as the academic diaspora, these groups are recognised as reliable mediators for African universities in the midst of unending globalisation, transnationalism and internationalisation of higher education. This article explores Ghana’s policy environment and institutional framework to tap the development potential of its academic diaspora for higher education. We conclude that capacity building and the extension of rights and privileges are important elements that need to be embraced by the government to motivate experienced and highly skilled academics to contribute to the country’s higher education sector

The Palgrave Handbook of South–South Migration and Inequality

The Palgrave Handbook of South–South Migration and Inequalit