Labour Mobility And Development Among The Dagaaba (Dagara) Of The Nandom Traditional Area.

ABSTRACT This study examined labour migration and associated development in the Nandom Traditional Area. The objective of the study was to find out whether labour migration is an option for improved livelihoods and development in the Nandom Traditional Area. Both returned migrants at Nandom and migrants at destination, Accra were interviewed. The field work was undertaken in two areas, namely Accra Metropolis and Nandom District. Mixed research method was used. Data was collected from both primary and secondary sources. A questionnaire and an in-depth interview guide were the instruments used for the study. A total of 40 returned migrants and 14 migrants at destination were interviewed at Nandom and Accra respectively. The study found out that Dagaaba labour migrants migrate due to various reasons such as poverty, lack of jobs especially the off farming season, lack of social facilities and infrastructure among others and labour migration generally has positive effects on household’s livelihood in Nandom due to the inflow of remittances. It was observed from the study that, policy makers on migration and livelihood tend to ignore the agricultural labour migration especially during off-farming period as a critical issue in development planning. The study also recommends that government should consider irrigation in the area to curb labour migration during the dry season. Improved infrastructure, in terms of health facilities, roads, schools, potable water will help bridge the gaps in development between Nandom and the destination area Accra and other potential ones in other parts of Ghana which usually attract the youth. This is because the loss of human resources from the area as a result of migration does not seem to be compensated by the benefits of migration. The departure of the youth affects their livelihoods positively. Results of the study revealed that migrants were predominantly males, with a relatively smaller but increasing number of women over the years. Based on the findings, the study argues for the introduction of more poverty reduction strategies in the area that will reduce the incidence of migration in the area.