Intra and Inter-Regional Female Migration and Their Effects on Household Food Security in the Upper West Region in Ghana.Pdf
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University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh UNIVERSITY OF GHANA CENTRE FOR MIGRATION STUDIES INTRA AND INTER-REGIONAL FEMALE MIGRATION AND THEIR EFFECTS ON HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY IN THE UPPER WEST REGION IN GHANA BY MORKOR C. AKITA (10131329) THIS THESIS IS SUBMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSPHY DEGREE JULY 2015 University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DECLARATION I, Morkor Cecilia Akita hereby declare that except for references made to other works which have been duly acknowledged, this thesis is the result of my own research conducted at the Centre for Migration Studies, University of Ghana, Legon, under the joint supervision of Prof. Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, Prof. Agnes Budu,, Prof. Christine Nti and Dr. Badasu. I also declare that, this thesis has neither in part nor in whole been presented for another degree elsewhere. ……………………….. ………………………... ……………………………… Morkor C. Akita Date Student .. .……………………… ……………………….. …………..………………… Professor Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe Date Principal Supervisor ....…………………… …………………………. ……………………………… Professor Prof. Agnes Budu Date Co-Supervisor …………………… ………………………….. ……………………………… Professor Christine Nti Date Co-Supervisor …………………… ………………………….. ……………………………… Dr. Delali Badasu Date Co-Supervisor i University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ACKNOWLEDGEMENT A journey through the changing academic landscape could not have been possible single handedly. I have had the privilege of being supported and encouraged by many people throughout this journey. Indeed, at the end of a phase of this journey, it is normal to feel as though it has been just some few weeks, but it has been years of hard work, determination, perseverance, self-denial, deprivation and sleepless nights. Through it all, this dream has become a reality. There cannot be e enough words and space to express my appreciation to the numerous people who have helped me through this journey, from the beginning to the end. I say to all I am most grateful. Very big thanks go to ―TSEOFELE‖ who made this possible by giving me health, fortitude, wisdom, knowledge and keeping me focused throughout this journey. It has really been a journey! Without him, I would not have gotten this chance to express my appreciation. My special thanks also go to the two junior SEKS in my life, the completion of this thesis would not have been possible without their support and words of encouragement every morning before I leave the house. ―Mes proches‖, I am so grateful! And now to the Senior SEK, Etse, my dear, you stood with me in spirit and in flesh and at this point, I would like you to know that, this work is one of the many reasons why you are part of me, que ―Dieu te benisse‖! I cannot forget my indebtedness to my supervisors, Prof Codjoe, Prof. Budu, Prof Nti and Dr. Badasu, for the various roles they played during the writing of this thesis until its completion. Also my appreciation to Kofi Siabi-Mensah for being an inspiration; to Ruhiza, Nii Aryaa, Kafui, Tete, Kojovi, Eben, Nii Adjei, Gedo and Eric for their support, time in checking on my progress. In the same breath I wish to thank my siblings for the diverse roles they played during this journey. And to my late mother, AMA KORKLU, wherever you are, I want you to know that, it is finished, your words of encouragement during those hard times I almost gave up, had yielded so much fruits and I say thank you for being my mother. May you continue to rest peacefully in God‘s arms. Finally, special thanks go to the entire staff of Centre for Migration Studies and also to all the people I met during the writing of this thesis, whose friendships have been invaluable. ―Nyonmo adjoo nye fee”! ii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ABSTRACT The recent phenomenon of female migrants joining the migration stream has become a grave concern to many in the global world and Ghana in particular. Migration as a worldwide phenomenon continues to attract the attention of demographers and other social scientists. This study examined the extent to which intra and inter-regional migration of women affects household food security in the Upper West Region of Ghana. As a specific objective, this study examined household‘s food security, identified determinants of both female migration and household food security. To achieve these objectives, 240 female migrants‘ household heads were selected randomly from 12 communities in 4 districts and were interviewed. Both primary and secondary data were employed. Primary data was collected using interviews and focus group discussions. Secondary data was also collected from published and unpublished documents. Household food security was measured using the standard USDA 2007 scale. Those scoring less than six (6) out of the eleven questions were grouped under food secure and those scoring more than six (6) were classified as food insecure. The collected data was analysed using Statistical Package (SPSS Version 20). Regression model was used to reveal the factors influencing household food security. Out of the eleven variables, household income, household marital status, landownership, farm size, remittance and choice of migration were found to be significant at less than 5% probability level. Also the results from the hypothesis confirmed that households whose migrants go beyond the region (inter) are more likely to be food secure and contribute better to household food security as compared to those who go within the region (intra). The study revealed the push and pull factors of female migration in the selected communities and the category of women who migrate as well as the reasons for intra and inter-regional female migration; this included lack of economic opportunities, food shortages, erratic rainfall, and inadequate social amenities among others. The study concluded with some measures to mitigate migration as well as some recommendations to help reduce female migration from the study area and also ways to improve household food security. iii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ..................................................................................................................................... i ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ...................................................................................................................... ii ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................................... iii LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................................... viii LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................................ ix APPENDICES ......................................................................................................................................... x CHAPTER ONE ....................................................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY ......................................................................................................... 1 1.0 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Problem statement ............................................................................................................................. 7 1.3 Objectives of the Study ..................................................................................................................... 9 1.4 Research questions .......................................................................................................................... 10 1.5 Significance of the study ................................................................................................................. 10 1.6 Organisation of the study ................................................................................................................ 11 1.7 Scope of the study ........................................................................................................................... 13 2.0 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 15 METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................................................... 65 3.0. Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 65 3.1. Study Design .................................................................................................................................. 65 3.2. Study Area ...................................................................................................................................... 65 3.2.1 Description of the sites ............................................................................................................. 65 3.2.1.1 Demographics ........................................................................................................................ 68 3.2.1.2 Political and Administrative Structure .................................................................................. 69 3.2.1.3 Economy and Living Conditions ..........................................................................................