CENTRAL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

DETERMINANTS OF RURAL URBAN MIGRATION IN

GHANA

(A case study of Accra Metropolitan Assembly)

BY

MOSES KOFI AMUZU

(ECS/06/01/0767)

SUPERVISOR

MR. JUSTICE K. AMPIAH

A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS,

FACULTY OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES, CENTRAL UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE

AWARD OF A BSC. DEGREE IN ECONOMICS.

MAY, 2010

DECLARATION

I, Moses Amuzu, Hereby state and declare that this research work is a definite work of

my entire efforts and have never been submitted or researched on by any external student

within or beyond the shores of Ghana for any purpose. I have personal knowledge of the

facts I stated in this project, and if I were to be called as a witness, I could competently

testify about what I have written in this work. Research works by authors of various

doctrines were extracted as source of references information, were guide duly consulted.

I am fully responsible for any mistakes, omissions and misinterpretation which might

evolve from this project.

--------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------

MOSES KOFI AMUZU DATE

(STUDENT)

SUPERVISORS DECLARATION

I declare that this project work was written under my supervision and that the candidates

have been consistent in their interaction with me for guidiance.I confirm that the student

have my permission to present it for assessment.

--------------------------------- -----------------------------

MR.JUSTICE K.APPIAH DATE

DEDICATION

I dedicate this work to my heavenly Father God Almighty, for his enhanced and immense

wisdom, knowledge, strength and Grace to finish this research writing. To my Prophet

T.B Joshua, Prophet Nana-sei Opoku Sarkodie whom without my higher Education

would not have come to pass. You really gave me the drive to press on in difficult times,

more Grace!

To my Late Mother, Madam Comfort Amuzu, who taught me to give respect and honor

to whom it’s due to and to be committed and well discipline in my entire Endeavour’s,

May Her Soul Rest in Peace. Respect goes to my Father Mr.Kofi Amuzu who taught me

how to act Smart, Tough, Strong and over all, hard working.

Specially, to Mr. Deodat Adenutsi, you encouraged me and gave me the drive to learn

from my first year up to my final year.

Lastly to my friend George Nartey, who taught me how to be independent and not to rely

on people, you really were there for me.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I am so much grateful to God almighty for his permissible will and favor most especially

his divine grace which took me through my academic Career in Central University, honor

and adoration be unto you forever, Amen!

I would want to express my sincere gratitude and honor to my Father in the lord Senior

Prophet T.B Joshua for his Immense words of wisdom which made me stood my ground

and the drive to press on in life no matter the difficulties.

To my supervisor, Mr. Justice Ampiah who gave helping hands in completing this work.

Kudos goes to Mr. Anthony Amoah who stood as an Indirect Supervisor, you made time

for me.

I am also acknowledging the Pressurizing efforts of the Economics Department, Mr.

Anthony Amoah, for rendering a special help to me and Mr. Deodat Adenusti, who stood

as a “Big push” and a drive for competitive learning among me and colleagues. Special

thanks to Mr. Paragon Pomeyie, who made me learn without limit, Respect Sir!

Finally to this great institution, Central University for making me one of the successful

graduates. May the good lord continually abide with this Institution. Amen.

ABSTRACT

Researchers have diagnosed the behavior of migrants in Ghana and the drive towards the

occupation in the city. The prime factor or determinants of rural urban migration in

Ghana was aimed at some specific factors. These factors have to do with the persistent

increase in poverty rate, underdevelopment in rural areas and socio-economic difficulties

The increase in these difficulties have been seen over the years to increase migration into

rural to urban geography. This research writing seeks to illustrate the determinants of

rural urban migration in Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Ghana.

The Data acquired for this research work was specifically Secondary data. It was

obtained from Ghana statistical Service, regional chiefs, surveys and organizational

records. The data entails fact from happenings around the geographical regions of Ghana

acquired from Journals, News papers, magazines described over the years. Findings show

that Majority of people living in rural Ghana fit into the World Bank classification of

extreme poverty. Extreme poverty defined by the World Bank as getting by on an income

of less than $1 a day, means that households cannot meet basic needs for survival. The

Study covers the day to day difficulties faced by Rural Communities and the need to

Urbanized. Based on interview conducted, it is believe that some migrants were triggered

by the flourishing nature of the City, some determined to seek greener pastures.

Findings of the study revealed that Rural Urban Migration in Accra Metropolitan

Assembly is greatly influenced by poverty, funds mismanagement and poor

infrastructural development.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents

Declaration---------------------------------------------------------- i

Dedication-------------------------------------------------------- ii

Acknowledgement-------------------------------------------- iii

Abstract------------------------------------------------ iv

Table of content------------------------------------------------- v

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction-------------------------------------------------------- 1

1.1 Background of the Study----------------------------------------- 2

1.2 Statement of the Problem------------------------------------------- 5

1.3 General objective of the Study-------------------------------------- 7

1.4 Specific Objective---------------------------------------------------- 7

1.5 Research Question------------------------------------------------ 8

1.6 Significance of the Study----------------------------------------- 8

1.7 Organization of the Study------------------------------------------------------------- 9

1.7.1 Chapter 1--------------------------------------------------------- --------------------- 9

1.7.2 Chapter 2----------------------------------------------------------------------- 9

1.7.3 Chapter 3--------------------------------------------------------------- 9

1.7.4 Chapter 4-------------------------------------------------------------------- 9

1.7.5 Chapter 5----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9

1.8 Scope and Limitation of the Study---------------------------------------------- 10

CHAPTER TWO

Literature Review

2.0 Introduction ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11

2.1 Theoretical Review---------------------------------------------------------------------- 11

2.2 Overview of Rural urban Migration------------------------------------- 11

2.3 The cost of living in rural Communities------------------------------------------- 13

2.4 Nature of rural urban Challenges--------------------------------------- 15

2.5 Determinants of migration/Low Level Equilibrium Trap------------------ 21

2.5.1 Capital Formation-------------------------------------------------------------------- 23

2.6 Negative consequences of Urbanization in Accra Metropolitan------------------- 23

2.7 Empirical Review ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

3.0 Introduction-------------------------------------------------------------------- 31

3.1 Model specification-------------------------------------------------- 31

3.2 Sources of Data--------------------------------------------------------------------- 33

3.3 Population-------------------------------------------------------------- 33

3.4 Data Collection Procedure---------------------------------------------- 34

3.5 Method of Data Analysis--------------------------------------------------- 34

CHAPTER FOUR

GENERAL OBSERVATION, INTERPRETATIONS AND FINDINGS

4.0 Introduction-------------------------------------------------- 35

4.1 Rural poverty in Ghana------------------------------------------- 35

4.2 Causes of Rural Migration-------------------------------------------- 36

4.3 Rural Urban Migrants------------------------------------------- 37

4.3.1 Challenges and Constraint--------------------------------------- 38

4.4 Discussion of Findings------------------------------------------------------------- 39

4.4.1 Migrants Contribution to Rural Development------------------------------ 39

4.4.2 Government Contribution to Rural Development-------------------------------- 39

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.0 Introduction--------------------------------------------------- 41

5.1 Summary------------------------------------------------------------ 41

5.2 Policy Recommendation--------------------------------------------------- 42

5.3 Limitation of Study--------------------------------------------------- 43

5.4 Suggestions for further Studies------------------------------------ 43

5.5 Conclusion--------------------------------------------------------------- 44

Bibliography ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 45

List of Figures

Figure 1 House of Rural Urban Migrants-------------------------------------------------- 14

Figure 2 Nature of Urbanized Environment in Accra Metropolitan--------------------- 16

Figure 3 Kayayei in Accra Metropolitan-------------------------------------------------- 18

List of Tables

Low Level Equilibrium Trap----------------------------------------------------------- 21

CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.0 Introduction

This is the first chapter of the research work designed to illustrate the Background of the

study, statement of the problem, General and specific objectives of the study, significance

of the study, Research question, Methodology and some explanation of certain issues,

then the concluding work of the study.

1.1 Background of Study

The past few decades have witnessed a rapid pace of urban population concentrations in

the developing countries of west Africa and else where. The current Metropolitan Area

encompasses the three municipalities of Accra, Tema, and the outlying semi-urban Ga

district, all of which are closely integrated with the core. Accra is today the political,

commercial, and cultural center of Ghana. Accra Metropolitan Assembly covers an area

of 17,362 ha. It falls within the dry equatorial climatic region, and it receives an average

annual rainfall of 810 mm/year. The climate is hot and humid, with mean temperatures

varying from 24oC in August and 27oC in March.

The area is characterized by the coastal savannah vegetation type and it is subject to

severe erosion due to its proximity to continental shelf, strong coastal and wind action

(Lunani, 2007).

An important observation is the relatively fast growth in the size of some localities

adjoining the Accra Metropolitan Area such as Gbawe, New Achimota, Anyaa, Nii Boye

Town, and Mallam which were rural in 1984, but have now attained urban status, mainly

as a result of the spillover of the growth of the AMA into localities in the surrounding

Districts.  The District remains predominantly urban. The classification of localities as

urban or rural was based on the size of the population.  Hence, all localities with

population of 5000 were classified as rural.

In Ghana for example, the urban population in 1960s was 23 percent of the total

population. The proportion increase by almost 10 percent in 1984(statistical service of

Ghana, 1988).This has engendered both scholarly and policy interest and concerns.

The concerns have emanated from the fact that the bulk of the urban population is

constituted of migrants from rural areas and small towns in the countryside. The loss of

rural population to urban centers is often bemoaned for its implied averse effect on rural

development.

The empirical data have revealed that migration is generally selective of the young,

versatile, and/or better educated members of the community. This creates a form “brain

drain” on the rural populations. At the points of destination, deleterious consequences of

rural-urban migration have been noted. With the demand for urban migration, amenities

exceeding their supply, the urban areas often become spectacles of multifarious problems

such as overcrowding, congestion, inadequate housing, high rates of unemployment and

underemployment, crime and other forms of delinquency. The quality of life at both the

areas of origin and destination are, therefore, significantly affected.

Migration from the rural to urban places of Ghana is therefore caused by individuals and

families seeking better economic opportunities to improve the quality of their lives.

Secondary determinants are varied, ranging from family obligations to the quest for

adventure.

The benefits of migration for the rural areas lie mainly in returned migrants’

contributions to the economic development of those areas. Migrants also contribute to the

economic development in urban areas, but their presence in large numbers has caused

problems in the housing and in the delivery of social services. Rural development policies

and land settlement schemes have been unsuccessful, due mainly to the lack of a

comprehensive national development effort.

Over the years, the relevance of migration, the rationale for migrating, and the policy

response to migration patterns and magnitudes have dominated academic and policy

discussions.

Urban poverty is a fact in Accra, where about 48% of the metropolitan populations have

income levels below the World Bank's absolute poverty threshold of $307 per capita per

annum. A 1992 report on housing needs in the metropolitan area revealed that 95% of the

population earn below the International Labor Organization's stipulated poverty line of

$4.00 per day (35,000 cedis per month). Accra's poor tend to be concentrated in high-

density residential areas and represent 43% of the total population. Their survival and

development has been in jeopardy for many decades. The situation may not improve, as

the government predicts that by the year 2000, the manufacturing sector in Accra will

only provide one quarter of the population with employment.

For typical developing country like Ghana – however, internal migration is of equal, if

not, greater importance. Given that the rural-urban categorization is the major spatial

grouping in Ghana, and that urbanization in this country is on the rise, it is hardly

surprising that rural-to-urban migration has dominated the countries’ internal migration

research.

In Ghana, rural areas had the majority of the population. Over 60% have been

encountering or facing several problems like poor health care delivery, poor educational

services, inaccessibility to potable water, lack of knowledge of human rights,

unemployment, improper management of environments, among other issues. These

problems are affecting their lives and making living conditions in these areas

uncomfortable for them unlike urban areas.

The urban population is increasing at such a fast rate and will continue to do so over the

next few years. Almost half of the urban residents in the country live in the two biggest

cities of Accra and Kumasi. Migration from rural areas to towns and cities drives urban

growth. Base on this analysis, persistent population growth in the city will out number

those living in rural areas and the country’s urban populations will more than double in

size. A large percentage of Ghana’s urban population is estimated to be below the official

poverty line.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The problems attached to the research attempt to find out what constitute the

determinants of urban migration in Ghana, specifically in its capital city, Accra (Accra

Metropolitan Assembly).There are various in-sustainability in rural communities which

contribute to migrant’s movement to the city. This section would identify the impact of

migrant’s participation in the Accra metropolitan Assembly and deduce the difficulties

faced by migrants.

As a result of migrations, the Accra Metropolitan has faced an increase in population

which has lead to congestion of major roads, reduction in water supply, etc. In the city of

Accra, it is belief that government spend more on development process than that of rural

areas .Base on this factors, people migrate from region-to-region in other to seek greener

pastures for their wellbeing. Life in the rural areas is one of the diverse reasons why

people commit suicide. The rural communities are faced with lots of uncertainty: falling

standards of education, poor water facilities bad hospitals and lack of infrastructure for

development. In this region, base on statistics, it is illustrated that there are high mortality

rate, high birth rate, high rate of poverty, rape etc However, as the rate of illiteracy

increase in this region, people move into farming, life stocking, fishing etc as an

alternative for sustenance.

On the basis of Mrs. Francisca Borkor Bortey, Eastern Regional chairman of the Ghana

National Education Campaign Coalition (GNECC) attributed falling standards of

education in rural areas to lack of infrastructure, lack of incentives to teachers, especially

those who accept postings to rural areas as another problem hampering the educational

sector. There are various problems engaged in rural areas. The fact that the crime rate of

the city exceeds that of the rural areas, people are still migrating due to

underdevelopment in this region (Rural areas) Migrants beliefs in the developing process

of the city acts as a drive to migrate and by this they could acquire skills, get jobs etc

Migrants believe Economic resources tend to be more in utilization in the cities, It is

belief that migrants have no positive impact on the development of the economy, rather

they overpopulate the cities, were some are seen in armed robbery, piracy and all criminal

aspect.

Despite the level of development, the Accra metropolitan is faced with improper waste

management system, contributed by mass migration from rural communities. Migrants,

who seek greener pastures, have however, made disposal of waste more tedious, Base on

the life style of migrants in their local community, they do not consider proper recycling

of waste. The issue of urban bias continues to be problematic for the city of Accra. Waste

collection or removal tends to be reserved for the wealthier citizens of Accra, because

they are the only one’s who can afford it. From 1992 to present, the poverty gap has

widened in Accra and the percentage of those living under the poverty line fell from 1 in

10 in 1987, to almost 1 in 4 by 1995.

Poorer households are often not capable of paying for the removal of waste and only 60%

of the population of Accra has regular waste collection; the result is piles of trash and

waste simply sitting on the sides of roads and in ditches, potentially contaminating water

and food sources.

1.3 General Objective of Study

The General objective seeks to determine the cause of rural urban migration, to ascertain

the extent in which people rely or belief that the cities are more developed than the urban

areas, to suggest solution to reduce migrants’ overpopulation in the cities and to illustrate

the need for Governments Growth policies in Rural Communities.

1.4 Specific Objective

The main Objective of the study is to identify the determinants of rural urban migration

in Accra Metropolitan, Ghana; specifically.

1. To capture the essential reasons why people prefer to migrate to the city.

2. To contrast and compare standards of leaving in Accra Metropolitan.

3. To identify the barriers to growth in rural community

4. The need to assist migrants so they do not form a retarding force of Economic

development

5. Provide adequate recommendations to Policy makers, regional heads, The

Government, on how they can curb the increase of rural urban migration in

Ghana: specifically The Accra Metropolitan.

1.5 Research Question

The following seek to undergo the following question:

1. What are the basic reasons people migrate to the city?

2. What determines movement of people from one region to another?

3. Are there no jobs or establishment that would better the life of migrants in their

rural areas?

4. What are the positive and negative impacts of migrants in a developing country

who seek greener pastures in the city?

5. Do migrants contribute to the retarding force of Economics Growth?

6. Why are the causes of growth barrier in rural Community?

1.6 Significance of the Study

1. The study is significantly relevant because it lays certain foundation for the

development or improving the rural sectors in order to achieve growth locally.

2. The study helps in broaden the knowledge and technical know-how or rather

expertise of various profession in rural areas.

3. To enable the economy develop in rural areas and their by contribute positively to

economic development.

4. To analyze economic differences between the rural areas and the cities. Also

providing relevant information on the need to develop rural areas.

5. The study will also tend to examine the various limitations and challenges faced

by rural community.

1.7 Organization of Study

The study has been put into five (5) chapters; which include Chapter 1, Chapter 2,

Chapter 3 Chapter 4 and Chapter 5.

1.7.1 Chapter One

Chapter one (1) which introduces the study, which includes the statement of the problem,

General objectives of the study, specific objective, significance of the study, the research

question, and scope of the study.

1.7.2 Chapter Two

Chapter two (2) surveys the literature on the determinants of rural urban migration in

Ghana, specifically in Accra metropolitan Assembly.

1.7.3 Chapter Three

Chapter three (3) illustrates the model, methodology and data used to derive the results of

the work.

1.7.4 Chapter Four

Chapter four (4) which includes the General Observations, Interpretation and Findings of

the Study.

1.7.5 Chapter Five

Chapter five (5) includes the Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation which was

derive by personal judgment.

1.8 The Scope and Limitation of Study

The study covers the determinants of rural urban migration in Ghana’s capital city,

Accra. Illustration on perceptional factors that stimulate migrants’ willingness to move

from rural areas to the city, in order to seek greener pastures. Emphasis would be made

on development process in other to curb the rate at which migrants population is

increasing in the Accra metropolitan.

The study would be narrowed in the regional movements of people in the rural

communities in Ghana to the capital city, specifically, the Accra metropolitan Assembly.

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0 Introduction

The literature review is divided into two segments, Theoretical and empirical reviews.

The first segment reviews the main theories of rural-urban migration in general. The next

segment covers the past and present works of the empirical determinants of rural urban-

migration in a developing country like Ghana, specifically Accra metropolitan Assemble

It also entails practical literature on the subject.

2.1 Theoretical Literature

Practical evidence has been derived and facts have been tested to elaborate the main

reasons or determinants of rural urban migration in developing countries like Ghana.

Emphasis would be made on facts extracted on the Accra metropolitan migration.

2.2 Overview of Rural Urban-migration

Rural-urban migration is one of the string forces retrogressing economic growth in

developing countries. The rate at which migrants seeks greener pastures, incorporates one

of the major reasons why policies to stimulate urban growth is necessary. Basically, rural

urban migration is seen as a situation where some specific people of a developing country

seek greener pastures, or a way to better their life in the cities.

In this scene, rural urban migration has limited factors to economic growth and

development process. Increase of migrants in the cities, base on the motive of seeking

greener pastures, would cause a conflicting role of population growth in the development

process. Migrants contribute to population growth in the cities thereby causing

stagnation. Stagnation in the sense of low economic growth (in terms of GDP growth)

lower than potential growth as estimated by experts in macroeconomics

In other words, population growth can be both as a stimulus and an impediment to growth

and development. Urban migration which is seen as retarding force to development in

cities; thereby developing countries are concerned with the common view that rapid

population growth presents an obstacle to the growth of living standards.

The argument in a nutshell is that rapid population growth contributed by migrant’s

movement to the cities acts as a barrier to capital accumulation and capital Deepening,

retards the rate of productivity, growth and, in general, adds more to the numbers to be

supported than to the level of output. A fairly theoretical remark, representation of the

pessimistic school of population economist is that of Enkes.

The economic danger of rapid population growth due to migration lies in the consequent

inability of a country both to increase its stock of capital and improve its state of art

rapidly enough for it’s per capital income not to be less than it otherwise would be.

If the rate of technological innovation cannot be forced, and is not advanced by faster

population growth, a rapid proportionate growth in population added by migrants can

cause an actual reduction in income per capita.

2.3 The cost of living in rural community

Records have shown that No part of Ghana, however, is ethnically homogeneous. Urban

centers are the most ethnically mixed because of migration to towns and cities by those in

search of employment. Rural areas, with the exception of cocoa-producing areas that

have attracted migrant labor, tend to reflect more traditional population distributions.

Although there has been a substantial overall decline in the incidence of poverty in Ghana

poverty still has a firm grip on rural areas, especially in the north. There is a wide

disparity of income between people in the south, where there are two growing seasons

and greater economic opportunities, and people living in the drought-prone northern

plains.

About 51 per cent of the poor people in Ghana live in rural areas. Poor rural people have

limited access to basic social services, safe water, all-year roads, electricity and telephone

services. Poverty is deepest among food crop farmers, who are mainly traditional small-

scale producers. About six out of ten small-scale farmers are poor, and many of them are

women. Women are deeply affected. More than half of the women who are heads of

households in rural areas are among the poorest 20 per cent of the population.

Women bear heavy workloads. They are responsible for 55 to 60 per cent of agricultural

production. They are much less likely than men to receive education or health benefits or

to have a voice in decisions affecting their lives. The poorest people in rural areas include

the aged and the disabled, as well as people with HIV/AIDS and others who are

chronically ill. Migrants also are seriously affected by poverty.

The poorest areas of Ghana (the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions) are the

savannah regions of the north, where many poor rural people face chronic food

insecurity. Livelihoods are more vulnerable in those regions, and all the members of the

community suffer as a result of food insecurity during part of the year.

In rural communities, Small-scale farmers rely on rudimentary methods and technology

and they lack the skills and inputs, such as fertilizer and improved seeds that would

increase yields. Because of erosion and shorter fallow periods, soil loses its fertility,

posing a long-term threat to farmers’ livelihoods and incomes.

A small number of farms have access to irrigation. Land ownership and land security are

regulated by complex systems that may vary widely (see Land tenure in the rural northern

regions of Ghana). Animals are of insufficiently productive genetic stock. Poor farmers

are without the good market and rural infrastructure they need for storing, processing and

marketing their products.

2.4 Nature of Rural Urban Challenges

In Ghana, Localities of 5,000 persons and above have been classified as urban since

1960. On this basis, the 1960 urban population totaled 1,551,174 persons, or 23.1 percent

of total population. By 1970, the percentage of the country's population residing in urban

centers had increased to 28 percent. That percentage rose to 32 in 1984 and was estimated

at 33 percent for 1992.

Figure 1: Houses of Rural Urban Migrants.

1

One of Accra's critical problems contributed by migrants is the management of waste

water and drainage throughout the city; industrial, commercial, and residential waste

1 Ghana Web

water often discharges into open drains and flood channels. Responsibility for

maintaining waste water disposal and drainage lies with a number of local and

metropolitan authorities. Due to inadequate financial resources, weak management

capability, and the lack of well-trained and motivated personnel, however, the resultant

health and environmental hazards are severe.

Urban areas in Ghana have customarily been supplied with more amenities than rural

locations. The growth of urban population notwithstanding, Ghana continued to be a

nation of rural communities. The 1984 enumeration showed that six of the country's ten

regions had rural populations of 5 percent or more above the national average of 68

percent. Rural residency was estimated to be 67 percent of the population in 1992. These

figures, though reflecting a trend toward urban residency, were not very different from

the 1970s when about 72 percent of the nation's population lived in rural areas.

Figure: 2 Nature of Urbanized Environment in Accra Metropolitan.

2

Inadequate provision of environmental health facilities for rapidly growing urban

populations is a major constraint of socio-economic development in the less developed

world. The situation leads to deteriorating urban environment and attendant health

threats. The diagram examines household environmental problems in Accra, and the

impacts on the health of identifiable different social classes. As a result of rapid increase

in the population of Accra, and inadequate provision of facilities, the majority of the

city’s residents live under deplorable environmental conditions which are detrimental to

health. Only 39.8 percent of respondents have indoor private pipe and 30.1 percent

depend on vended water to meet their needs.

2 Accra Metropolitan Assembly,2002-2004 Medium Tern Development Plan; August 2002

About 35.0 percent of the respondents depend on unsanitary public latrines. Lack of

adequate sanitation facilities, results in high sharing of facilities among households, and

this exerts pressure on facilities which often results in poor sanitary conditions and pest

infestation. Other environmental problems which affect health include indiscriminate

disposal of waste which facilitate the breeding of disease organisms and spread of

infections. Deteriorating environmental quality is a major cause of high incidence of

infectious and parasitic diseases.

About 44.6 percent of poor households use the public latrine. Only 2.2 percent of poor

households have home collection of solid waste compared with 40.3 percent of medium

wealth and 86.2 percent of high wealth households. Due to their inability to secure the

facilities and services which support a healthy living environment, the poor are more

susceptible to a range of environment related diseases particularly childhood diarrhea.

Rural to urban migration which leads to dense population in the Accra metropolitan

Assembly face Poverty, inadequate provision of facilities, lack of environmental health

awareness and the neglect of the needs of the poor in decision making are the major

obstacles to achieving sound environmental health in Accra.

Furthermore, the increasing rate of rural urban migration in the Accra metropolis give

way for more job opportunities in the area of Kayayei. Kayayei are mainly migrant

workers from the northern part of Ghana who carry head pans which they use to cart

foodstuff for people who come to shop at the market. They are often seen carrying large

loads on their heads in the various market places in town.

Figure 3 Kayayei in Accra

3 BBC News, In pictures: Ghana Market Girls- Kayayo

The majorities of the girls live and ply their trade at Old Fadama, Kokomba market,

CMB, Avenor, Tema Station, Tudu and the Agbogbloshie areas. The settlements of the

Kayayei are a mix of property owners and squatters who live in unauthorized wooden

structures. One dominant feature of these areas is the life and health threatening

conditions under which the community lives. There are thousands of children living and

working on the streets, and the number is growing in Accra. This is a result of increased

urbanization and the difficult socio-economic circumstances rural families are

experiencing.

Like other children living and working on the streets, the Kayayei are vulnerable to all

forms of exploitation and abuse, including what may be a higher risk of exposure to

HIV/Aids. The Ghana Statistical Service estimated that approximately 27.2 percent of

children aged 5 to 14 years in Ghana were working in 2001.

The report indicates that in rural areas, children can be found working in fishing, herding

and as contract farm labor. Children also work as domestics, porters, hawkers, mine and

quarry workers, and fare-collectors. In urban centers like Accra, street children work

mainly as truck pushers, porters, and sales workers. Activities of Kayayei are very

dangerous to the health and development of those involved and the nation as a whole,”

says Stephen Tampuri Adongo, Deputy Director in charge of Child Rights Promotion,

Department of Social Welfare.

This study has shown the various impediments on Urban Migration in Accra, Ghana,

which have been the stagnant forces to economic Growth and Development.

2.5 Determinants of Migration/Low Level Equilibrium Trap

It is believe that developing countries are faced with low level equilibrium trap. A low

level equilibrium trap is a situation were by a country finds itself in a poverty striking era,

caused by increase in population growth, thereby leading to dis-savings and low

investment. Migration to the city of Accra, contributes to an increase in population

growth thereby leading to low per capita income sufficient to provide adequate savings.

Table 1: Low Level Equilibrium Trap

4

The diagram above shows the population growth and per capita income level of

inhabitants in a geographical location. We can see at the above diagram Rapid population

growth causes decline in output growth in a highly populated region. Rapid population

growth may not permit a rise in per capital income sufficient to provide adequate savings.

Base on this diagram, increase in population growth would reduce investment until

income rises above the subsistence level, after which it rises with per capital income.

Migration causes rate of growth to fall due to its contribution to rapid population growth.

4 Development Economics 2

An increase in rapid population growth also causes increase in rural urban migration in

developing countries. There are two main interrelated reasons why rapid population

growth may be regarded as a retarding influence on development.

Firstly, rapid population growth may not permit a rise in per capital incomes sufficient to

provide savings necessary for the amount of capital formation for growth.

Secondly if population growth outstrips the capacity of industry to absorb new labor,

either urban unemployment will develop or rural underdevelopment/rural urban

migration to the cities will be exacerbated, depressing productivity in the agricultural

sector.

Models of the low-level equilibrium trap attempt to integrate population and development

theory by recognizing the interdependency between population growth, per capital

income, and national income growth. This type of model, which originated in the 1950s,

is designed firstly to demonstrate the difficulties that developing countries may face in

achieving a self-sustaining rise in living standards and secondary to provide points to

policy action.

2.5.1 Capital Formation

Capital formation takes place through saving and new land brought into cultivation. Due

to rising population growth, urban migration increase and thereby leads to disaving, and

low investment, which would imply pressure on government to take drastic measure for

cultivation and development.

Developing countries with rising population faces disavings and reduced land cultivation.

This situation is related to urban migration, because due to underdevelopment in rural

areas, migration to the city would increase in other to look for greener pasture

2.6 Negative Consequences of Urbanization in Accra Metropolitan

Urbanization has consequences both negative and positive. But, I am a bit troubled by the

negative consequences it poses to those towns where it is taking root. For example, it

should not amaze you to hear of high amount of monies house owners take from their

tenants in the urban centers as compared to the rural areas or less urbanized towns. When

demand is high and supply is low the price of a commodity increases, Concentration of

high level commercial activities in the cities will lead to rural-urban migration. This will

put pressure on available jobs opportunities besides the economic vitality of the rural

areas will dissipate.

Decreasing the supply of basic social amenities to the rural areas will force the men,

especially, to abandon home for better experiences in the cities living behind the aged un-

cared for children unguided, hence broken homes becomes inevitable. When rural areas

become ghost towns only few teachers and doctors and other service providers with high

sense of moral inclination will be desirous to go there. There are so many bad

consequences urbanization can pose. I believe that these bad consequences are eve more

than the good because when there is a huge gap between urban centers and remote

villages the opportunities of the rural areas will be hidden from the youth who will vent

their frustrations of unemployment on government and its cabinet.

2.7 Empirical Review

The Increase in Population growth due to rural-urban migration are natural, coupled with

infrastructure developments are competing with urban farming for available space and

scarce resources such as water for irrigation. Lack of reliable data on the extent of

urban/peri-urban areas being used for farming has affected developing sustainable

policies to manage urban farming in Accra.

Studies indicate that most African migration is driven by essentially the same social,

economic and political forces as in other world regions. Despite this similarity, studies

also indicate that the causes of migration are also often complex.

While it is often assumed that most African migration is driven by poverty, warfare and

other crises, in reality a much more complex mix of factors have helped to shape People’s

movements across and beyond Africa. In general, it is not the poorest of the poor that

migrate.

Major factors contributing to problems in Accra city can be explained by socio-economic

factors such as migration from rural areas to the city for jobs and better standard of

living. Since the colonial era, the growth pole concept created a situation of concentration

of development at the city centre without any significant trickle down effects on the

development of towns and villages which should be complements to the city of Accra.

As a result, the competitive advantage of Accra regarding high quality of life and its

prime location which serves as an attraction for investment unlike its complementary

cities and towns in the12 regional capitals except Kumasi in the Ashanti Region has made

the city a uni-centric city that pulls people for jobs and the establishment of business.

The massive influx of people into the city centre has created problems of congestion

attributable to human and vehicular traffic, congestion in rooms and high rental charges.

For example, in compound houses in Accra, up to about 20 families live in one or two

rooms and share the same toilet facility (World Bank 2002). Also, waste management

problems, deteriorating transportation system and flooding problems occur due to

construction of houses in flood prone areas coupled with pollution of the city’s

atmosphere and water bodies.

Lack of data on urban land used over the years has been a problem to effective city

planning. The problem is now being addressed through the use of Geographic

Information System as a tool for collecting and storing data as well as making analysis of

data collected. This has proved useful in the planning and management of the City.

Migration towards the urban centers is high causing lower densities in some rural areas; it

is also empirically evident that most people commute from the district to look for jobs in

Accra, thereby reducing the migration rate in the district. This situation poses a problem

for the distribution of higher order services and functions in the district. This is because

certain services require some threshold populations before they can be provided. This

implies that many of the several small communities may not qualify for higher order

services such as banks, senior secondary schools, post offices and hospitals. Therefore,

services would be located in central places for the benefit of three or more settlement.

Accra, the capital city of Ghana is overwhelmed with many disabled migrants who

become beggars on the streets. An average of nine disabled beggars were counted

operating around two major traffic lights alone in Accra during a cursory count by the

writer in march 2008, as against two who operated in the same spots year ago

The problem is that the most migrant disabled people invariably become street beggars,

because they face numerous barriers to accessing gainful employment to secure dignified

means of livelihood. The drift of disabled people and their families to the cities appears to

be increasing. If not curbed the situation can give rise to an increasing numbers of

unskilled disabled people deserting the rural communities and mass into the cities.

Disabled people migrate to cities because of the absence of appropriate interventions.

Their families continue to play traditional roles of providing safety nets. In poor rural

communities the roles of families in providing safety nets become challenging and often

compromised. Disabled people are thus marginalized and discriminated against. Such

oppressive conditions compel disabled adults to migrate from home.

Hamidu Adams (fictitious name) is a 64 year old blind beggar around a particular traffic

light in Accra, capital city of Ghana. His two sons accompany him to the spot each day.

Six other male and female disabled beggars, some with their children, share the same

location with Hamidu. Like Humidu, they had all migrated from the northern Ghana.

Humidu, who spoke an appreciable level of English, willingly offered to be interviewed

by the writer, who sought to why he migrated to Accra and how he faired in the city.

Hamidu recounted:

I was one of the best millet and livestock farmers in a small village community in

northern Ghana. I have a wife and five children all of whom are alive. I lost my sight due

to onchocerciasis about four years ago. When I lost my sight completely I could no

longer work on the farm again and so was home bound and dependent on the family. Our

family head therefore appointed my younger brother to administer the assets on my

behalf.

Calamity struck Hamidu’s family and the entire community during the floods that swept

through most part of the northern Ghana in July 2007.Large fields of food crops and

livestock were destroyed. Almost all the buildings in the village collapsed and some lives

lost from falling walls and illness. As a result, hamidu had to migrate to Accra to live

with a cousin. His wife borrowed some money for his journey to Accra.

While in Accra he was able to locate his cousin who is a retired laborer in a private firm.

The cousin and his family lived in a rented single room apartment in a slum suburb of

Accra. Obviously Hamidu and his two children could not find space in his brother’s

home. He was forced to locate in home where inability to pay the rent and feed himself

and his children compelled him to go into begging on the streets.

Hamidu indicated that he was able to raise enough money form begging to feed his small

family in Accra and to refund his cousin’s loan for the rent. He indicated his intension to

raise sufficient money that will enable him return to his village to reconstruct the family

house and send his children back to school.

The harrowing experience that disabled migrants go through can affect their person and

psyche and drift them into a dependency syndrome.

Traditionally, Ghanaian abhors begging and scorn on people who beg. However, as most

disabled migrants are illiterates and unskilled, street begging becomes an easy means of

securing their livelihoods. Religious and paternalistic sentiments of most Ghanaians

towards disability makes them express sympathy and are therefore readily willing to give

them alms. Overtime, begging become is seen as lucrative by culprits, and develops an

insatiable penchant for begging.

The circumstances that pushed Hamidu to migrate and go into begging in Accra were

beyond his control. Family networks in Ghana, notwithstanding the level of poverty, help

to provide a level of protection and safety net for vulnerable members. Onset of disability

can be disempowering, and thus renders one vulnerable to family dictates and peer-group

influence.

Most recent statistics have it that Africa is on the high road to urbanization, moving at a

high rate of 1.6%. This is the highest in the world when compared with the highly

industrialized countries, which are moving at a rate of 0.3%.It is projected that by 2015

over 80% of the world's population will live in cities. Over 90% of this urban expansion

is expected to take place in the cities of the less-developed countries.

Presently, about 13 out of 17 cities with over 10 million populations, often referred to as

mega cities, are located in developing countries and Ghana's neighbours, Nigeria (Lagos),

is projected to be third on the table of the world's largest cities by 2010. About nine more

cities have been projected to reach 'mega city' status by 2015 and all of them are in

developing countries.

Although urbanization rates have been lower in other West African countries

urbanization in Ghana is increasing rapidly and it is anticipated that by 2030 more than

58% of the population will be located in urban areas. Despite this, the situation in Ghana

is becoming alarming, with 5.5 million people living in slum settlements. This is almost

25% of the country's population and more than half of the urban population. The

immense human settlement challenges in urban slum, overcrowding, poor housing

condition, tenure insecurity, inadequate water, sanitation and basic services, lack of

safety net, lack of representation, all represent the multi-dimensions of the urban poverty

that make alleviating urban poverty such a challenge.

Undoubtedly, the country is urbanizing rapidly, as it has been estimated that by the end of

next year about 51% of its total population would be living in towns and cities. This is

basically due to the low level of development being experienced at the rural areas,

inflicting hardship on the people and causing them to relocate to the big cities. Sadly,

however, there is no comprehensive development strategy that seeks to guide the growth

of the towns and cities. This has resulted in what experts have described as urban

poverty, causing the development of slums.

Also, the absence of a complex national urban development policy framework has

undermined the policy coherence of agencies involved in addressing urban ills and

poverty. Unlike some other countries, even in Africa, like South Africa, Ghana has not

been able to appoint a specific ministry or a directorate with a responsibility for urban

development.

What we have had over the years with successive governments is a ministry of local

government and rural development, whose multi-functions have made it to relegate urban

development to the background.

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

3.0 Introduction

This chapter elaborates and describes the research design, population and the sample

techniques that were adopted in acquiring the results of the research. In this section of the

research, explanation of the sample and the way in which the result were obtained are

presented.

3.1 Model Specification

This research illustrates and examines the determinants of rural urban migration in

Ghana: specifically in Accra Metropolitan Assembly. At the Initial stage, we examined

the literature to enable our choice in the explanatory variables, but in elaborating the

migration of Ghanaian citizens in large, we examined the rural urban migration in Accra

Metropolitan specifically. This model is mathematically expressed as:

Mgrt=f (Pvtt,PIt,JSt)

Mgrt = βo + β1 Pvtt+β2 PI + β3 JSt + µt

Where Mgr= Migration, Pvt= Poverty, PI= Poor infrastructure, JS= Job seekers in the

city, µ= the disturbance term and t denotes the time series data.

The expression or equation above is a linear function. Its parameters and variables are

linear, meaning all of the parameters or variables in the equation are raised to the first

power specifically. The dependent variable is the migration in Ghana, which contributes

to rural urban migration in the Accra metropolis as a whole.

The explanatory variables used are basically macroeconomic determinants of rural urban

migration in Ghana specifically in Accra metropolitan. The independent variables consist

of: Poverty, Economic stagnation, job seeking and Poor infrastructure.

Poverty entails living in a state of deprivation involving either: material deprivation –

lack of income, resources and assets. Physical weakness – malnutrition, sickness,

disability, lack of strength. Isolation – illiteracy, lack of access to education and

resources, peripheral locations, marginalization and discrimination. Vulnerability – to

contingencies which increase poverty (e.g. war, climatic changes, seasonal fluctuations,

disability). Powerlessness – the inability to avoid poverty or change the situation. This

variable serves as a driving factor that pushes migrants out of rural communities in search for

greener pastures in the cities.

Poor infrastructure is the inability of local government to reach certain level of development

in rural communities. Poor infrastructure comes in when local government of various rural

sites cannot provide or give accessibility in the basic physical and organizational

structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise, or the services and facilities

necessary for an economy to function.

The variable typically refers to the technical structures that support a society, such as

roads, water supply, sewers, power grids, telecommunications, and so forth. Viewed

functionally, infrastructure facilitates the production of goods and services; for example,

roads enable the transport of raw materials to a factory, and also for the distribution of

finished products to markets. In some contexts, the term may also include basic social

services such as schools and hospitals. This is also a major determinant of rural

migration.

This variable elaborates the job seeking individuals who migrate from one rural

community to another all in the name of greener pastures. Rural migrants believe so

much on the city capability to offer them jobs that would enriched their potential income.

3.2 Sources of Data

Data acquired for this research work was specifically Secondary data. It was ascertained

from Ghana statistical board, regional chiefs, surveys and organizational records. The

data entails fact from happenings around the geographical regions of Ghana acquired

from Journals, News papers, magazines described over the years.

3.3 Population

The target population was Ghana, specifically in rural communities across its region and

especially the rural urban migration in Accra metropolitan Assembly.

3.4 Data Collection Procedure

Secondary was adopted in this section. The data was derived from appraise sources such

as Ghana statistical board, regional chiefs, surveys, organizational records, News papers,

Magazines, Economic journals and the use of other relevant publications from TV

stations and internet was derived. Personal verbal interviews were conducted with various

habitants and chiefs in the rural community to know there view concerning development

process in their local areas.

3.5 Method of Data Analysis

The study covers both qualitative and quantitative procedures which were used to analyze

the data obtained.

CHAPTER FOUR

GENERAL OBSERVATION, INTERPRETATIONS AND FINDINGS

4.0 Introduction

In this chapter, we evaluate the core determinants of rural urban migration in Ghana.

Elaboration will be made on migrant’s social welfare, government contribution to rural

development and further analysis will made on Ghana rural poverty sector.

The presentation will be focused on the rural migrants urbanization followed by

migrants’ welfare in the city.

4.1 Rural poverty in Ghana

Majority of people living in rural Ghana fit into the World Bank classification of extreme

poverty. Extreme poverty defined by the World Bank as getting by on an income of less

than $1 a day, means that households cannot meet basic needs for survival.

Ghana rural community is entangled with chronic hungry, unable to get health care, lack

safe drinking water and sanitation, cannot afford education for their children and perhaps

lack rudimentary shelter- a roof to keep rain out of the hut- and basic articles of clothing

like shoes. The trend in poverty is nowhere acute as in Northern Ghana. There is a

complete absence of credit facilities for the rural poor, many children of school going age

are not in school because they cannot afford to be there, they lack access to good drinking

water, and primary health care. The situation is alarming.

Currently, there has been a substantial overall decline in the incidence of poverty in

Ghana poverty still has a firm grip on rural areas, especially in the north, but there is a

wide disparity of income between people in the south, where there are two growing

seasons and greater economic opportunities, and people living in the drought-prone

northern plains.

Poverty is basically the core problem in rural communities, were About 51 per cent of the

poor people in Ghana live in rural areas and they have Poor limited access to basic social

services, safe water, all-year roads, electricity and telephone services. Poverty is deepest

among food crop farmers, who are mainly traditional small-scale producers and about six

out of ten small-scale farmers are poor, and many of them are women.

Women are deeply affected by poverty and more than half of the women who are heads

of households in rural areas are among the poorest 20 per cent of the population. Women

bear heavy workloads and are responsible for 55 to 60 per cent of agricultural production

and are much less likely than men to receive education or health benefits or to have a

voice in decisions affecting their lives. The poorest people in rural areas include the aged

and the disabled, as well as people with HIV/AIDS and others who are chronically ill.

Migrants also are seriously affected by poverty

4.2 Causes of rural migration in Ghana

People move for a variety of reasons and the decision-making process is complex. The

reasons for moving may differ markedly from reasons for choosing to live at the current

residence. Taken together, these two sets of reasons describe the factors that drive people

away from residences and those that attract people to new residences. People moving

within rural areas (centers with populations less than 1,000) moved from their homes

mainly for employment reasons, primarily for better employment opportunities or to start

a new job, as can be seen in the graph below.

A move from a rural to an urban area was mostly driven by economic and employment

reasons, but education related reasons such as moving for your own or other’s education

were also important factors. In contrast, when people chose to move from an urban

residence to a rural residence, it was also frequently environmental factors prompting the

move, such as not being satisfied with previous lifestyle.

4.3 Rural urban migrants

One of the major problems confronting Ghana at the moment is the rapid rural-urban

migration. In fact most of our major city like Accra, among others is choked with human

beings. This has resulted in all forms of social vices including armed robbery, rape,

indiscriminate littering of our streets just to mention a few.

Unfortunately our leaders both past and present have not been able to find an antidote to

the problem thus exacerbating the situation though the government through the district

assemblies has to spend several billions of cedis in constructing public places of

convenience, which should not have been the responsibility of the government. All these

things are happening because our city authorities have been overwhelmed with the

number of people who have moved to these urban centers.

4.3.1 Challenges and constraint

Rapid population growth and increasing urbanization have made shelter one of the most

critical problems currently facing the country. Increasing overcrowding, declining quality

and access to services due to rural urban migration, characterize much of the housing

stock in Ghana. The shortage of housing grew considerably worse during the intercensal

period 1970 to 1984.Various data suggest that the housing deficit is in excess of 500,000

units whilst supply figures vary between 25,000 and 40,000 units per annum as against

annual requirement of 70,000-100,000 units. Currently, the national annual housing

supply to demand ratio (for new housing) is estimated at about 35%.

Base on the increasing number of migration into urbanized city like the Accra

metropolitan assembly, the housing delivery system had been unable to meet the effective

demand of houses over the years which have created strain on the existing housing stock

and infrastructure, especially in urban areas. The housing needs of urban inhabitants are

often restricted to sub-standard structures and unsanitary environments in squatter and

slum settlements.

Slum creation has been the result of a recent upsurge in rural-urban migration, limited

supply of land, and regulatory frameworks that are not addressing the needs of the urban

poor. In 2001, the slum population for Ghana was estimated at 4,993,000 people growing

at a rate of 1.83% per annum scattered in all the major cities in the country and is

expected to reach 5.8 million by 2010.

4.4 Discussion of Findings

4.4.1 Migrants Contribution to Rural Development

It has been found that Rural-urban migrants can contribute directly or indirectly to rural

development in many ways. We know that urban employment brings economic and

material gains to some migrants, whereby through their voluntary tribal associations, to

which some of them have great attachment and commitment, the migrants, especially the

successful ones, can help in the planning and implementation of various projects at their

home towns and villages. In many cases, the tribal associations have contributed to

projects including the installation of street lights, building and maintenance of roads,

streets, schools, clinics and health posts, wells and other sources of water supply.

4.4.2 Government Contribution to Rural Development

Governmental initiatives can spur patriotic activities among the citizenry by the

implementation of special citizenship awards and challenge grants. These may be

presented to the associations, groups, individuals, and non-governmental organizations

like the Voluntary Work camps Association (Badu & Parker, 1992) for exemplary

leadership and outstanding service to their communities. The initiatives may even be

extended to citizens and nationals who live outside the country. Most of these people

have shown strong commitments to their motherland, despite their absence from home.

The flow of resources, technical skills and ideas from this category of people could be

maximized if the present restrictions imposed on those who have sought residency and

citizenship in foreign countries were removed.

As part of this Endeavour, special incentives can be offered to private firms and

companies that locate in rural areas and boost employment opportunities for the people

by harnessing the local resources. By curtailing the rate of rural-urban migration, the

demand on urban resources could be eased. That can help curb urban unemployment,

underemployment, and many of the problems associated with over-urbanization.

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.0 Introduction

This research work has been segmented into five chapters respectively. Chapter five

entails and mark the last chapter of this research work and is has been done to cover the

summary, policy recommendations, limitations of the study, suggestions for further

studies and the concluding part of the research.

5.1 Summary

This study contributes a whole lot of literature on the determinants of rural urban

migration in Ghana, considering the factors that constitute to rural urban migration,

poverty, poor infrastructural development in rural sites and job seeking.

In the past few decades, researchers have identified that rural urban migration

determinants include; poverty, poor infrastructural development, falling standard of

education, bad roads, and poor hospital facilities.

The systematic analysis of these factors would explain the need for migration to

urbanized environment. Research has shown that these factors are retarding forces to

economic growth in rural community which contribute to migrant’s determination to seek

greener pastures in the city.

In all, this study has enable us to view and identify that various economic factors such as

poverty, poor infrastructural development, falling standard of education, bad roads, and

poor hospital facilities are factors that determined migration in rural Ghana which gives

some specific individuals a personal drive to look for greener pastures in the city to better

their life’s economically.

5.2 Policy Recommendation

Determinants of rural urban migration in Ghana, Specifically in Accra Metropolitan

Assembly, are very interesting and critical area to dive and make research on since its

base on economic factors. I therefore will recommend the following to policy makers and

various bodies in this field:

1. Policy makers should notify that development is the first stage to achieve

economic growth in curbing rural migration in Ghana which without there would

be continuous increase in migration to the cities.

2. Policy makers should also note that migrants ware fare in the long run is also

necessary. They should know that making policy that will better life in the short

run would lead to future migration in the long run.

3. In other words, the capacity of building workshop, and other structural facilities,

would allow council members learned how to identify, prioritize and manage

projects that will benefit their communities in the long- run.

4. Implementing the Community Action Program (CAP) Government bodies would

able to implement community-led development and reconstruction programs to

revitalize physical and social infrastructure.

5.3 Limitations of the Study

The study in which secondary data was adopted, there might be omissions or improper

statement of data collected that might influence or give inaccuracy of this research work

systematically. More specifically, the study was restricted to findings in the migration of

rural inhabitants to urbanized cities in Accra Metropolitan who seek greener pastures.

Finally, due to time constraint, more detailed objectives and findings would have been

outline for this work

5.4 Suggestions and Further Studies

Base on inability to get data from individual migrants to ascertain the main drive or

determinants of rural urban migration in the Accra metropolitan, I urge researchers who

would do farther studies on this long essay, to Endeavour the use questionnaires and

personal interviews with single individual to get actual facts on determinants of rural

urban migration in Ghana.

5.5 Conclusion

Migrants are simply triggered by poor economic development in rural community in

which they migrate to urbanized cities to look for green pastures. The study focuses and

targets the main causes or Determinants of rural urban migration which is influenced by

poverty, funds mismanagement and poor infrastructural development.

The way forward towards sustainable economic development and growth depends on

Government, stakeholders, policy maker’s cooperation to foster and curb personal

spending and migrants roaming about the streets of the Accra metropolitan Assembly and

look towards the enrichment of rural communities in Ghana as a whole.

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