Nigerian migrant associations in Accra, Ghana: their role in adjustment, integration and development

Thomas Antwi Bosiakoh, University of Ghana

Recent migration studies acknowledge the growth of migrant associations literature. And though these associations are a worldwide phenomenon, the literature focuses on those in the USA mostly of Latino migrants. In Africa and Ghana, migrant associations literature is paltry. The few that exist only explore their development impacts. In this paper, I explore three Nigerian migrant associations in Accra, and their role in adjustment, integration and development. The paper postulates that, the associations constitute social networks that bind members in complex relationships. Away from the familial kinship-oriented and other familiar friendship networks at home, these migrants find their associations as substitutes for enhancing their lives and to ensure their adjustment and integration into Ghana. Though the associations are not direct vectors of economic development, their social activities make them useful social development agents in Ghana. The paper makes a case for integration of migrant associations into the Ghanaian migration policies.