Independent North-South Child Migration in Ghana: the Decision-Making Process
Author(s): A. Castaldo C. A. Tagoe J.K. Anarfi S.O. Kwankye
This working paper explores the factors behind the phenomenon of independent child migration from the North to the South in Ghana, looking particularly at how the decision for the child to migrate is made, and who is involved in the process. Most of the findings of the research focus on what children themselves think and say about the decision-making process and their experiences. The study is based on quantitative and qualitative data. The results of the research show that the fundamental reason behind the migration of children is economic i.e. poverty and the hope that their moving away from home will bring some economic relief to both the migrant and their household. Despite the children's expectations of earning an income and achieving some form of independence from their families, it is also evident from the analysis that the decision-making process with regard to independent child migration in Ghana often involves the entire family, as well as the child. In fact, although the majority of the children in the survey data stated that they took the decision to migrate alone by themselves, a considerable number of them also reported that the decision was made by, or influenced by, parents or other relatives and friends. Furthermore, it is quite clear that there is a socio-cultural element to the independent migration of children. For example, the common practice whereby a girl migrates in order to acquire certain household items, such as cooking utensils, in preparation for marriage.