Migration and Rural Development

SEMINAR PAPER
FOMT 1.2: Forest-Related Development and Land Use Policy
Seminar Topic: Migrations and effects on Rural Development - A Case of Ghana

Supervisor: Prof. Jurgen Pretzch

Submitted by:
By

Ataa- Asantewaa Martha
(Student of M.Sc. Tropical Forestry and Management)
Submitted to the Institute for International Forestry and Forest Products,
Faculty of Forest-Geo-and-Hydro Sciences, TU Dresden

2012
Abstract
Migration continues to dominate discussion on both social and political platforms in recent times owing to its anticipated role in development and globalization. Ghana, a major fore runner in both demographic and social-economic issues, has a long history of migration. In this paper, the dynamics of Ghana’s migration is critically reviewed detailing the cause factors, history as well as its impact on rural development.

Contents Abstract i 1.0 Introduction 1 2.0 Objectives 1 3.0 Research Questions and Methodology 2 4.0 Literature Review 2 4.1 History of Ghana’s migration; The Pattern 2 4.2 Migration in Ghana: The impetus. 5 4.3 Migrant dynamics 6 4.4 Positive impact of migration 7 4.5 Negative impact of migration 8 5.0 Discussion 9 6.0 Conclusion 11 REFERENCES 11

1.0 Introduction
Migration is an old phenomenon with increasing complexity. Its origin predates the arrival of first human race. However, with time, the scale of migration has assumed a new dimension and dynamism making it a defining development and globalization issue dominating both political and socio-economic platforms, the world over (Awumbila et al, 2008, Vargas-Lundius et al, 2008). In Ghana, migration persists in dynamic and complex ways as in other regions across Africa and elsewhere with its historical precedence. Mobility within and outside Ghana has been traced back to pre-colonial times and it is currently directed more towards a surviving strategy. However, the impetus for migration remains complex to define as it varies

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