The Cost of (Ir)regular Migration

Abstract

This Policy Brief provides insights into the costs and benefits of (ir)regular male migration from the perspective of both parents and wives. In recognition of the pervasiveness of information and communication technologies (ICTs), our study, on which this Policy Brief is based, sought to explore the extent to which these technologies bridged the physical distance between migrants and their families, thereby mitigating the social costs of migration. The study finds that in spite of the potential benefits of migration, the social costs of migration are quite high and cannot easily be resolved with the use of ICTs. We thus recommend that all stakeholders make efforts to minimise the potential for the average Ghanaian to seek greener pastures elsewhere by providing both the needed training and opportunities for utilising their training in appropriately rewarding jobs.