Within this project, IOM will assist the Government of Ghana in mainstreaming migration into the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS) framework. The interlinkages between migration and development are complex and can be both positive and negative. While there are situations where migration can exacerbate existing challenges to achieving national and international development goals, migration can also yield considerable benefits for the development of the countries of origin, for example through fostering linkages with diasporas, attracting remittances, or facilitating investments and business initiatives by expatriates.
In order to enhance the effectiveness of such initiatives, countries of origin need to consider mainstreaming policies that link migration and development into their national planning and development strategies. Migration can then be used as a tool, which contributes to attaining specific, previously defined development objectives. At the same time, integrating migration issues coherently into national development strategies allows to more effectively address challenges arising out of migration for national development.
This project will include a broad analysis of current migration issues in Ghana, which will be followed by a migration-specific review of the GPRS and other related strategic frameworks. Policy areas where migration can be seen as closely related to Ghana’s development objectives will be identified in close consultation with the Government of Ghana and other relevant stakeholders, and concrete proposals for operationalizing the suggestions made will be developed.