Migrant Associations and the Reintegration of Return Migrants into Their Families and Communities in the Nkoranza Districts of Central Ghana

Central Ghana is noted for the large number of residents travelling abroad to Libya and Europe in search of greener pastures. The Nkoranza area, in particular, receives a high number of return migrants (returnees) each year. These return migrants rely mainly on their individual (personal) networks such as family members, friends, neighbours, school mates, church members etc, to cope with the challenges of settling down and reintegration. But they also have a well-organized return migrant association that support left-behind family members of migrants and returnees.

This paper examines the role that family and kin members, friends as well as migrant associations in the Nkoranza districts offer to left-behind relatives of immigrants whilst they are abroad as well as the returnees themselves upon their return to their communities. The paper indicates that migrant associations in the Nkoranza area are voluntary, self-organized, informal, not-for-profit associations set up for the mutual benefits of its members. They mainly exist to share experiences and support returnees upon their return.

The paper also assesses the changed position/role of the returnees in their families, communities as well as groups that they join upon their return home. How do returnees react to the familiar as well as the changed situation in their communities upon their return? What kind of support do the family and kin members as well as migrant associations provide to their membership and recent returnees etc.? What social, psychological, and economic support do they provide to their members?