ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Migrant healthcare assistants’ decision to work in long-term care: Experiences from Norway

In high-income countries, population ageing has a significant impact on the labour force and care demands. As a result, the tendency is to rely on migrant workers to meet workforce and care demands. Drawing on insights from Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, this study focused on unskilled migrant healthcare assistants in Norway’s long-term care. The objectives were to explore factors influencing the decision of unskilled migrant healthcare assistants to work in elderly care, sources of knowledge about work in elderly care, and challenges encountered in elderly care work. The key research questions were as follows: a) What factors influence the decision of migrant healthcare assistants to work in elderly care? b) What are the sources of knowledge/information about work in elderly care for migrant healthcare assistants? c) What are some of the challenges of working in elderly care for migrant healthcare assistants? Qualitative research and purposive sampling were used to recruit 20 participants: 13 unskilled migrant healthcare assistants and seven managers of long-term care facilities in South-Eastern and Northern Norway. DataData were collected using in-depth individual interviews, focus group discussions and participant observation, and thematically analysed. Findings indicated that factors influencing unskilled migrant healthcare assistants' decision to work in the elderly care sector included cultural norms and values of caring for older people, nonrecognition of overseas qualifications and economic considerations. State-organized language learning programmes, Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV) offices, as well as migrant family and community networks, provided crucial information about work in elderly care. Challenges regarding lack of career progression, temporary working contracts, low status and poor wages emerged. In conclusion, meaningful employment outcome through better opportunities for career progression are essential for unskilled migrant healthcare assistants’ well-being and care for older people. It would be useful for long-term care policymakers and stakeholders to address the challenges faced by its aged care workforce.

Source: UG
Migrant versus indigenous farmers. An analysis of factors affecting agricultural land use in the transitional agro-ecological zone of Ghana, 1984-2000

The transitional agro-ecological zone of Ghana (10,630 km2) is the leading producer of grains, cereals and tubers. Located between the resource-endowed south and the impoverished north, it has attracted seasonal and permanent farm migrants mainly from northern Ghana, who now live side by side with the indigenous people. This paper examines the differences that exist between these groups with regard to factors affecting agricultural land use between 1984 and 2000. It utilizes information from a household survey undertaken in February 2002 among 786 farmers in 240 households in 12 communities. Results show that migrants had almost three times more cropped area, earned more from the sale of farm products, were more affluent, used more mechanized farming practices, and had extended into more agricultural lands compared to indigenous people. Furthermore, affluence predicted agricultural land use for both migrants and indigenous farmers in 1984, and household size and fallow period predicted agricultural land use for migrant and indigenous farmers respectively. In 2000, household size, land tenure arrangement, distance to farthest farm and household educational level predicted agricultural land use among migrants, while affluence, on-farm income, household size and tractor use predicted agricultural land use among indigenous farmers.

Source: UG
Migrant youth's emerging dietary patterns in Haiti: The role of peer social engagement

Objective The present study examines whether rural-to-urban migrant youth consume a greater diversity of high-sugar beverages and fried snacks (HSBFS) compared with their peers who remain in rural areas. It also tests whether the association between migration and HSBFS diversity is moderated by migrant youth's social engagement with their peers. Design Participants were recruited in August and September 2011 following the completion of primary school (6th grade) and shortly before many rural youth migrate to urban areas. Participants were re-interviewed six months later. HSBFS diversity was assessed at follow-up; analyses control for baseline and follow-up characteristics. Setting Baseline interviews occurred in rural Southeast Haiti. Follow-up interviews of migrants occurred at urban destinations in Haiti. Subjects The sample includes 215 youth (mean age 15·9 years; 43·3 % female; 21·9 % rural-to-urban migrants) who were interviewed at baseline and follow-up. Results Rural-to-urban migrant youth consumed a greater diversity of HSBFS products at follow-up than their rural counterparts (b=0·70, P≤0·05). Moreover, we found that this relationship varied by level of peer social engagement. Youth who migrated and had a high degree of peer social engagement consumed 2·2 additional types of HSBFS products daily than their counterparts who remained in rural areas and had low peer social engagement. Conclusions Higher HSBFS diversity among migrant youth is consistent with the patterns proposed by the nutrition transition. Interactions with peers may have an important influence as migrant youth adopt new dietary preferences. Emerging dietary patterns among youth migrants have important implications for health trajectories and the development of degenerative diseases. © 2014 The Authors.

Source: UG
Migrants in Countries in Crisis: The Experiences of Ghanaian and Nigerien Migrants during the Libyan Crisis of 2011

Review books or articles provide a critical and constructive analysis of existing published literature in a field, through summary, analysis, and comparison, often identifying specific gaps or problems and providing recommendations for future research. These are considered as secondary literature since they generally do not present new data from the author's experimental work. Review articles can be of three types, broadly speaking: literature reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. It also the researcher to stay abreast of new literature in the field.

Source: UG
Migrants’ Remittances and Financing Adaptation to Climate Change at the Local Level: Experiences from Ghana

Purpose The much-trumpeted Green Climate Fund and several other official financial mechanisms for financing adaptation to climate change under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change have fallen short in meeting adaptation needs. Many poorer people are still grappling with the scourge of climate change impacts. Consequently, there has been a dominant research focus on climate change financing emanating from official development assistance (ODA), Adaptation Fund, public expenditure and private sector support. However, there has been little attempt to examine how migrants’ remittances can close adaptation financing gaps at the local level, ostensibly creating a large research gap. This paper aims to argue that migrants’ remittances provide a unique complementary opportunity for financing adaptation and have a wider impact on those who are extremely vulnerable to climate change. Design/methodology/approach The paper is aligned to the qualitative research approach. Both secondary and primary data acquired through interviews and focus group discussions were used for the study. Multiple sampling methods were also used to select the respondents. Findings The findings show that remittances are used to finance both incremental costs of households’ infrastructure and consumption needs, as well as additional investment needs to be occasioned by ongoing or expected changes in climate. Originality/value In the wake of dwindling government/public revenue, ODA and poor commitment of Annex II countries to fulfil their financial obligations, the study makes the following recommendations: First, the financial infrastructure underpinning money transfers in both sending and recipient countries should be improved to make transfers attractive. Second, significant steps should be taken to reduce the fees on remittance services, especially for the small transfers typically made by poor migrants. Finally, adequate climatic information should be made available to local people to ensure that remittances are applied to the right adaptation option to avoid maladaptation.

Source: UG
Migrants’ remittances: A complementary source of financing adaptation to climate change at the local level in Ghana

Purpose The much-trumpeted Green Climate Fund and several other official financial mechanisms for financing adaptation to climate change under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change have fallen short in meeting adaptation needs. Many poorer people are still grappling with the scourge of climate change impacts. Consequently, there has been a dominant research focus on climate change financing emanating from official development assistance (ODA), Adaptation Fund, public expenditure and private sector support. However, there has been little attempt to examine how migrants’ remittances can close adaptation financing gaps at the local level, ostensibly creating a large research gap. This paper aims to argue that migrants’ remittances provide a unique complementary opportunity for financing adaptation and have a wider impact on those who are extremely vulnerable to climate change. Design/methodology/approach The paper is aligned to the qualitative research approach. Both secondary and primary data acquired through interviews and focus group discussions were used for the study. Multiple sampling methods were also used to select the respondents. Findings The findings show that remittances are used to finance both incremental costs of households’ infrastructure and consumption needs, as well as additional investment needs to be occasioned by ongoing or expected changes in climate. Originality/value In the wake of dwindling government/public revenue, ODA and poor commitment of Annex II countries to fulfil their financial obligations, the study makes the following recommendations: First, the financial infrastructure underpinning money transfers in both sending and recipient countries should be improved to make transfers attractive. Second, significant steps should be taken to reduce the fees on remittance services, especially for the small transfers typically made by poor migrants. Finally, adequate climatic information should be made available to local people to ensure that remittances are applied to the right adaptation option to avoid maladaptation.

Source: UG
Migrating from user fees to social health insurance: exploring the prospects and challenges for hospital management

AbstractBackgroundIn 2003 Ghana introduced a social health insurance scheme which resulted in the separation of purchasing of health services by the health insurance authority on the one hand and the provision of health services by hospitals at the other side of the spectrum. This separation has a lot of implications for managing accredited hospitals. This paper examines whether decoupling purchasing and service provision translate into opportunities or challenges in the management of accredited hospitals.MethodsA qualitative exploratory study of 15 accredited district hospitals were selected from five of Ghana&#8217;s ten administrative regions for the study. A semi-structured interview guide was designed to solicit information from key informants, Health Service Administrators, Pharmacists, Accountants and Scheme Managers of the hospitals studied. Data was analysed thematically.ResultsThe results showed that under the health insurance scheme, hospitals are better-off in terms of cash flow and adequate stock levels of drugs. Adequate stock of non-drugs under the scheme was reportedly intermittent. The major challenges confronting the hospitals were identified as weak purchasing power due to low tariffs, non computerisation of claims processing, unpredictable payment pattern, poor gate-keeping systems, lack of logistics and other new and emerging challenges relating to moral hazards and the use of false identity cards under pretence for medical care.ConclusionStudy&#8217;s findings have a lot of policy implications for proper management of hospitals. The findings suggest rationalisation of the current tariff structure, the application of contract based payment system to inject efficiency into hospitals management and piloting facility based vetting systems to offset vetting loads of the insurance authority. Proper gate-keeping mechanisms are also needed to curtail the phenomenon of moral hazard and false documentation.

Source: UG
Migrating from user fees to social health insurance: exploring the prospects and challenges for hospital management

Background: In 2003 Ghana introduced a social health insurance scheme which resulted in the separation of purchasing of health services by the health insurance authority on the one hand and the provision of health services by hospitals at the other side of the spectrum. This separation has a lot of implications for managing accredited hospitals. This paper examines whether decoupling purchasing and service provision translate into opportunities or challenges in the management of accredited hospitals. Methods: A qualitative exploratory study of 15 accredited district hospitals were selected from five of Ghana’s ten administrative regions for the study. A semi-structured interview guide was designed to solicit information from key informants, Health Service Administrators, Pharmacists, Accountants and Scheme Managers of the hospitals studied. Data was analysed thematically. Results: The results showed that under the health insurance scheme, hospitals are better-off in terms of cash flow and adequate stock levels of drugs. Adequate stock of non-drugs under the scheme was reportedly intermittent. The major challenges confronting the hospitals were identified as weak purchasing power due to low tariffs, non computerisation of claims processing, unpredictable payment pattern, poor gate-keeping systems, lack of logistics and other new and emerging challenges relating to moral hazards and the use of false identity cards under pretence for medical care. Conclusion: Study’s findings have a lot of policy implications for proper management of hospitals. The findings suggest rationalisation of the current tariff structure, the application of contract based payment system to inject efficiency into hospitals management and piloting facility based vetting systems to offset vetting loads of the insurance authority. Proper gate-keeping mechanisms are also needed to curtail the phenomenon of moral hazard and false documentation.

Source: UG
Migration and Human Security: The Case of West African Migrants in Morocco

This study focuses on the experiences of West African migrants in Morocco, highlighting how the activities of the Moroccan government affects the human security of migrants travelling to Europe through Morocco. Using secondary sources of data and based on the concept of Human Security, this study sought to examine the human security challenges encountered by West African Migrants in Morocco in their quest to reach Europe. The study focused on assessing the migrant situation in Morocco; examining how the lack of legal status affects the ability of West African migrants to access basic rights and services in Morocco; the effects of migration policies on West African migrants in Morocco; and how law enforcers’ violence affects the sense of security and well-being of West African migrants in Morocco. The study found out that, because of Morocco's restrictive immigration regulations, West African migrants who go through that country face exceedingly dangerous living conditions at the hands of the Moroccan government and security forces. Also, the study found that West African Migrants face several human security challenges, such as racism and prejudice, physical and sexual assault, and domestic abuse due to these restrictions. The study recommends that West African governments create favourable living conditions, including employment opportunities, good governance, and access to the basic needs of their citizens to prevent the mass exodus of citizens from migrating. They study also recommended that the UNHCR continue to take conscious efforts to address and help these individuals disproportionately impacted by the crisis.

Source: UG
Migration and poverty dynamics: Transferring rural poverty to urban areas

Migration is an enduring theme of human history and considered as one of the defining global issues of the twenty-first century. It is also a major component of population distribution and change in both places of origin and destination. Among the major changes caused by migration in places of origin and destination is poverty, which is a multi-dimensional phenomenon. The migration poverty nexus is seen as poverty causing migration, migration causing poverty and poverty alleviated by migration. This poverty is seen as 'cause' and as 'consequence' of migration. The prevalence of poverty is substantially higher in rural areas than in urban centres in almost all developing countries. Poverty has therefore been conceptualised to be a rural phenomenon. This not withstanding, it is now recognised that the rapid growth of urban population has led to a worsening poverty in urban areas. Though urban population growth is largely by natural increase, internal migration still remains an important factor that contributes to urbanisation. Analysis of Poverty Profile in Ghana shows an increasing poverty in the Greater Accra region which has a large number of in-migrants and this has been associated with the high net migration to the region. It has often been hypothesized that migrants from ru ral areas simply transfer poverty from rural to urban areas. This paper thus examines the extent to which migrants transfer rural poverty to urban areas considering the reciprocal relationships of the migration poverty nexus and poverty levels of migrants and indigenes in the Greater Accra Region

Source: UG
Migration and women's health.

Women have been migrating at similar rates to men for the past 40 years, and comprised about half of all migrants in 2005. Women and children are most affected by displacement as a result of wars and human trafficking. In some cases, the health of female migrants is improved via integration into better health systems in the host country. More often, however, the health of female migrants is affected negatively. Women are doubly disadvantaged because they are discriminated against as women and as migrants. Female migrants are also highly vulnerable to acts of sexual abuse, rape, and violence. This is especially true for women in refugee camps, whose reproductive health needs are often overlooked. To improve the health of female migrants it is important to develop and implement policies that recognize and insist on the respect of the rights of migrants.

Source: UG
The Migration Experience and Differential Risks to Sexual and Reproductive Health in Ghana

Background. Though internal migration in Ghana has become increasingly common in recent years, research has not focused on the gendered experiences and perceptions of migration and the association with sexual and reproductive health risks for male and female migrants. Method. A qualitative study using semistructured interviews among migrant market workers and market leaders working in Agbogbloshie in Accra, Ghana, was completed in April 2018. Interview domains for the migrant interviews included the following: expectations of migration, current working and living conditions, sexual and reproductive health, access to health care, and self-reported health status. Qualitative data were analyzed using a combination of inductive and deductive coding in MAXQDA. Results. Data indicate that migrant workers have a variety of perceptions surrounding their migration experience. In the urban destination, migrants face a number of challenges that negatively affect their health, including poor accommodation, safety concerns, and low levels of social support. Reported risks to sexual and reproductive health were unsafe sexual encounters, such as low condom use and sexual assault. Discussion. The negative sexual and reproductive health outcomes among migrant populations in urban poor settings are a result of a confluence of factors, including perceptions of destination locations, working and living conditions, social support, and gender norms. A complex systems approach to understanding the sexual health of migrants is warranted. Conclusion. Findings from this research illustrate the complexity of health risks among migrants in Agbogbloshie. Further research is needed to explore the increased vulnerability of migrants compared with nonmigrants in urban poverty and the long-term implications of sexual and reproductive health risks in vulnerable migrant communities.

Source: UG
Migration information campaign through music: The effect of Kofi Kinaata’s highlife song on young people in Ghana

Since 2014, over 2 million people have arrived at the shores of Europe through irregular crossing. This has created huge socio-economic consequences for the European people. In a bid to solve this unprecedented migrant crisis, the European Union and its member states have implemented migration information campaign (MIC) as part of a remote border control strategy to curb irregular migration. In Ghana's Kofi Kinaata was selected as a goodwill ambassador and his song, entitled ‘No Place Like Home’ is part of a broader advocacy programme that was implemented in West Africa to reduce irregular migration. This study seeks to investigate the effects of Kofi Kinaata’s song on the migration intention of young people in Ghana. The study is a qualitative descriptive study involving sixteen participants in the Cape Coast Metropolis in Ghana. The study revealed that young people with the ambition of migrating irregularly are already aware of the fearmessages used by sponsors of MICs, though they still want to travel through the irregular way. It is therefore recommended that investment in remote border control by European countries should focus more on reducing poverty and creating jobs in migrant source countries since these are the key factors driving irregular migration. Immigration policies by EU countries and other migrant recipients countries should also be relaxed, making room for affordable and safe alternative pathways to migration. This article has also called on governments to source countries to strengthen their institutions to deal with poverty and regulate migration. This will go a long way toward curbing the menace of irregular migrants in Europe and elsewhere.

Source: UG
Migration Infrastructures in West Africa and Beyond

The MIASA Working Paper series serves to disseminate the research results of work in progress prior to publication in order to encourage the exchange of ideas and academic debate. The series aims to publish research findings from the work of the MIASA Interdisciplinary Fellow Groups (IFGs) and other MIASA fellows in an open-access manner. Inclusion of a paper in the MIASA Working Paper Series does not constitute publication and should not limit publication in any other venue. Copyright remains with the authors

Source: UG