Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Geography & Environmental Studies

Faculty/School

Faculty of Arts

First Advisor

Robert Sharpe

Advisor Role

Thesis Supervisor

Abstract

One of the most significant spin-offs of migration in developing countries is the remittance of cash and other resources from migrants to their family members remaining in the area of origin. Through remittances, income is redistributed from urban areas to rural areas. This results in an extension of social, economic, cultural and political fruits of urban life to rural households and communities. This study examines the types of links migrants in Accra, Ghana, maintain with their kin back home. Through a study of the flow of cash remittances and other resources between migrants in Accra and their area of origin, it seeks to determine whether rural communities receive any benefit from the migration process. The study shows that in addition to the sending of cash and other forms of wealth to the area of origin, visitations, investment in housing and other ventures and the flow of information to family members back home form an important component of urban-rural interactions. The intensity of the interactions varies directly with the strength of the social and economic ties to the area of origin and inversely with how well migrants are established in urban areas. The links maintained are important means of support for rural households and rural communities in general. Rural households are able to enjoy a better standard of living which would not have been possible without these flows. The study concludes that urban-rural interactions have great potential benefit for the development process of rural economies.

Convocation Year

1995

Convocation Season

Spring

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