@techreport{BohnenkaemperFussederEmmanouilidisetal.2024, author = {Bohnenk{\"a}mper, Ronja and Fußeder, Christina and Emmanouilidis, Georgios and Emmert, Cornelia and Haberger, Mathias and Hartmann, Nils and Hohlfeldt, Leonie and J{\"a}ckel, Franziska and K{\"o}rber, Janina and Listl, Johannes and Ostendorp, Falk and Pantaleon Osuna, Alvaro and Steinmetzer, Luzie and Thurl, Lena and Ungruhe, Christian and Wagener, Jonas and Wehner, Stefanie}, title = {Socio-economic development and migration in rural Ghana : report from field research in Amedzofe, Volta Region}, number = {3}, editor = {Ungruhe, Christian and Pantaleon Osuna, Alvaro and Wehner, Stefanie}, doi = {10.15475/mitrawa.upa3}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:739-opus4-14865}, pages = {25 Seiten}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Migration plays a significant role in Ghanaian society, particularly in rural areas where its impact is inextricably linked to socio-economic dynamics. In March 2023, a student field research field research project was conducted in Amedzofe as part of the international research project "Migration and Translocality in West Africa", shedding light on various aspects of rural life through the lens of translocality. The field research aimed to address a wide range of topics related to rural livelihoods, focusing on migration and translocal aspects of everyday life. Six working groups embarked on a 10-day field research journey, employing mixed methods encompassing both quantitative and qualitative approaches. This extensive fieldwork followed a semester of intensive preparation, ensuring the thoroughness and depth of the study. The survey results were meticulously analysed and presented, providing valuable insights into the patterns, drivers and impacts of migration in the region. Additionally, the findings of the six working groups offered nuanced perspectives on various facets of rural life, including economic activities, social networks, cultural practices, education and gender aspects. This endeavour aims at fostering a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding migration and translocality in rural Ghana. It is a testament to the dedication and vision of the late Prof. Dr. Malte Steinbrink, whose leadership and guidance were instrumental in the preparation and realisation of this study.}, language = {en} } @techreport{JaeckelHaberger2025, author = {J{\"a}ckel, Franziska and Haberger, Mathias}, title = {The stone-made myth of return : translocality and housing in Amedzofe, Ghana}, number = {4}, doi = {10.15475/mitrawa.upa4}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:739-opus4-15301}, pages = {11 Seiten}, year = {2025}, abstract = {This paper delves into how migration and the resulting emergence of translocal networks, shaped by migrants' spatial and social trajectories, influence housing investment decisions in the area of origin. During our field stay in Amedzofe, a settlement in south-eastern Ghana, we gathered qualitative data in a transect walk with a local key informant and, building upon this, ten semi-structured interviews, alongside quantitative data collected through a questionnaire involving 94 households as part of the broader data collection within the MiTra|WA research project. By applying a simple propensity score matching approach, the study demonstrates that households with at least one migrant are 18 percentage points more likely to invest in housing for Amedzofe family members than non-migrant housholds. Notably, investments in aesthetically appealing housing are particularly significant. Our qualitative findings substantiate these observations, highlighting a strong inclination to showcase translocal interconnectedness and a lasting sense of belonging to Amedzofe. Housing investments also encapsulate the ingrained notion of migrants' eventual return to Amedzofe, especially for retirement, namely the "stone-made myth of return." Our study emphasizes the need for expanded research focus on translocal networks and the symbolic importance of housing in the Ghanaian context. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for addressing the implications of growing demands for living space, which may impact land distribution and require further investigation.}, language = {en} }