Urban migration and working children: a case study of female child migrants from Northern Ghana working in Agbogboloshie (Accra-Ghana)

Nyanney, Rosemary

4. term

Development and International Relations, Master

2013

2013-12-20

87

Den nord–syd-gående interne migration i Ghana har stået på i årtier, og i dag er flere unge piger involveret. Denne undersøgelse ser på de sociale netværk, som piger fra Nordghana bruger både før afrejse og efter ankomst til Agbogbloshie, en bydel i Accra. Den undersøger også, hvorfor så mange piger rejser sydpå, og hvilke konsekvenser migrationen har for deres liv. Med Social Network theory som ramme – og med skellet mellem stærke bånd (tæt familie/slægt) og svage bånd (bekendte, etniske netværk og nye kontakter) – afdækkes, hvilke relationer pigerne trækker på, og hvordan de bruger dem. For at forstå bevæggrundene inddrages Neo-klassisk økonomisk teori og New Economics of Labour Migration, som ser på individuelle incitamenter og husholdningsstrategier. Begrebet om barnet som “being and becoming” (barnet både som person nu og i udvikling) bruges til at belyse positive erfaringer og fremtidsmål, mens sårbarhedsbegrebet anvendes til at analysere risici omkring bolig, mad, sundhedspleje og arbejde. Undersøgelsen bygger på interviews med 19 kvindelige børnemigranter fra Ghanas tre nordlige regioner, som bor og arbejder i Agbogbloshie. Resultaterne viser, at pigerne er aktivt involveret i planlægning og beslutning om at migrere, understøttet af stærke slægtskabsbånd før afrejse. Efter ankomst er svage bånd – etniske relationer, venner og netværk, de opbygger – afgørende for at finde bolig, arbejde og blive en del af det nye miljø. Økonomiske grunde er de vigtigste drivkræfter, men socio-kulturelle forhold i hjemegnen påvirker også deres frivillige beslutning. Trods forskellige former for sårbarhed formår mange at spare op, sende penge hjem og nå nogle af deres mål. Afhandlingen uddyber disse mønstre og deres betydning.

North–South internal migration in Ghana has been ongoing for decades, and growing numbers of young girls are now involved. This study examines the social networks that girls from Northern Ghana rely on before departure and after arrival in Agbogbloshie, a suburb of Accra. It also explores why so many girls move south and how migration affects their lives. Using Social Network theory—and its distinction between strong ties (close family/kin) and weak ties (acquaintances, ethnic networks, and new contacts)—the study traces which relationships are used and how. To understand motivations, the analysis draws on Neo-classical Economic theory and the New Economics of Labour Migration, which consider individual incentives and household strategies. The concept of the child “being and becoming” is used to address both current experiences and future aspirations, including positive outcomes, while the concept of vulnerability guides analysis of risks related to housing, food, health care, and work. The research is based on interviews with 19 female child migrants from Ghana’s three Northern Regions who live and work in Agbogbloshie. Findings show that girls are actively involved in planning and deciding to migrate, with strong family ties supporting the pre-migration stage. After arrival, weak ties—ethnic relations, friends, and other networks they build—are crucial for finding housing, jobs, and integrating into the city. Economic reasons are the main drivers, but socio-cultural factors at home also shape their voluntary decisions. Despite various vulnerabilities, many manage to save, send remittances, and achieve some of their goals. The thesis discusses these patterns and their implications in greater depth.

[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]

child migration ; Ghana ; Working children ; urban migration

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