EXPLORING THE EFFECTS OF YOUTH EMIGRATION ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: EMPIRICAL PERSPECTIVES FROM THE WA EAST DISTRICT OF THE UPPER WEST REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

Over the years various governments all over the world have made some efforts to invest in the youth. Governments have embarked on massive investment in the education and training of the youth with the view of making the youth functional in their respective communities. Ghana is making strives to enhance the potentials of its youth with the hope of retaining every youth in his or her community. However, the youth still migrate from the North to South of the country in anticipation for better socio-economic opportunities in the South. This phenomenon is common in the Wa East District. The main objective of the study was to examine how the relocation of the youth to other parts of the country affects community development efforts in the Wa East District. A survey was conducted on 395 respondents and some other key informant in the study area. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that about 80% of the youth are potential migrants because the businesses they do are seasonal which require them to be travelling in and out of the district during the lean season and carrying out similar works in different environment. Majority of the youth further reiterated their stands on migrating from the district as a result of the absence of opportunities befitting their dreams and aspirations. In the Wa East District, economic conditions varying from access to decent job opportunity to improved incomes were ranked as the most push reason why most of the youth migrate from the district to other districts. The findings of the study showed that over 80% of the youth available in the district actively participate in the developmental activities in the district. The study recommends that gender-sensitive policies should be enhanced to assist those staying behind build their livelihoods and reduce vulnerability among them.