Child migration becomes rite of passage

new migration story(W&C)


Story: Doreen Allotey
Research has shown that north-south independent migration of children in Ghana has almost become a rite of passage for people in the north.
It has also found that in most cases, parents and relatives are involved in the decision as to whether or not the children should migrate.
The researchers are therefore advocating a programme that targets parents and potential child migrants at the sending areas to sensitise them to the risks involved in the migration of children.
The research was conducted by Dr Stephen O. Kwankye, Professor John K. Anarfi and Mrs Cynthia Addoquaye Tagoe of the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) and the Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS), who are partners of the Development Research Centre of Migration, Globalisation and Poverty.
Data was collected from a random survey of independent child migrants during the first quarter of 2005 in Accra and Kumasi. In addition, in-depth interviews were held with parents of current migrants, opinion leaders and some of the migrants who had returned to the origin areas in the north.
Some Focus Group Discussions were also organised among potential child migrants and other adults on their views on migration.
The researchers are also suggesting that the district assemblies in the sending regions also devote a proportion of their common fund to sensitise potential child migrants to attain education, at least, up to the senior high school level before they decide to migrate.
This, they said, could pave the way for the migrants to be eligible for relatively decent jobs or have opportunities for further training at the destination areas.
“This way, their vulnerability and, consequently, the risks of migration would be reduced”, they pointed out.
The research has also found that child migrants are exposed to poor accommodation and health risks as they resort to self-medication and over-the-counter drugs in instances of ill health in addition to being exposed to sexual abuse, including rape among the females.
For this situation, the research recommended that the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Aids Commission refocus some special attention on vulnerable child migrants.
The study found that in spite of the problems and risks associated with child migration, some of the children were able to earn some income especially from the informal sector, sent some remittances back home and made some savings.