Climate change as a driver of migration? A comparative case study in eastern and northern Ghana
- Academic studies and media reports have pointed to climate change as a dominant factor responsible for future mass migrations from and within the Global South. In response to the deterministic nature of their estimates and predictions, this research explores the link that migrants establish between the environmental changes they experience and migration as a climate adaptation strategy. Furthermore, the overlaps between the profile and migratory behavior of those who manifest a greater presence of climate change in their migratory processes and their counterparts are analysed to identify potential unique climate migration patterns and practices. The quantitative analysis of data gathered in the context of the Mitra|WA project in Ghana's Eastern and Northern Regions in 2022 reveals that, while migration is not predominantly propelled by climate change climate, it does not constitute a new form of mobility demarcated from existing migration patterns and practices. This paper provides an opportunity to redirect future research towardsAcademic studies and media reports have pointed to climate change as a dominant factor responsible for future mass migrations from and within the Global South. In response to the deterministic nature of their estimates and predictions, this research explores the link that migrants establish between the environmental changes they experience and migration as a climate adaptation strategy. Furthermore, the overlaps between the profile and migratory behavior of those who manifest a greater presence of climate change in their migratory processes and their counterparts are analysed to identify potential unique climate migration patterns and practices. The quantitative analysis of data gathered in the context of the Mitra|WA project in Ghana's Eastern and Northern Regions in 2022 reveals that, while migration is not predominantly propelled by climate change climate, it does not constitute a new form of mobility demarcated from existing migration patterns and practices. This paper provides an opportunity to redirect future research towards the factors that determine the agency of individuals in response to climate hazards and to explore the role of climate change in a set of drivers of migration in a West African setting.…

