Abstract
While studies have drawn attention to the operationalization, and implementation challenges associated with the ECOWAS free movement protocol, our understanding of how different categories of migrants experience the protocol is far more limited. Drawing on data from interviews conducted with 23 ECOWAS migrants living or travelling to Ghana, immigration officials and a trade union representative, this paper examines the diversity of experiences of ECOWAS migrants in relation to the free movement protocol. The findings suggest that the experiences of ECOWAS nationals in areas such as awareness and knowledge of provisions in the protocol, border crossing, processes of acquiring residence and work permits and renewing permits, and rights of establishment differ remarkably by dimensions of social difference. The gender, social class and nationality of migrants are fundamental and shape the experiences of ECOWAS migrants in divergent ways. These findings have important implication for policies seeking to promote free movement in West Africa.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 228-244 |
| Number of pages | 17 |
| Journal | International Migration |
| Volume | 59 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Early online date | 6 Oct 2020 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This paper is made possible through support received from the Merian Institute for Advanced Studies (MIASA) in Africa Interdisciplinary Fellowship Programme at the University of Ghana where all the authors worked on a fellowship programme for up to four months. We would like to thank MIASA for the financial support towards the fieldwork. We also want to thank Festus Owooson, our research assistant, who assisted with the data collection.
Funding Information:
The research employed a qualitative approach to understand the diverse ways in which different categories of migrants experience the free movement protocol. The research reported is part of an Interdisciplinary Fellowship Group on Forced Migration and Displacement in Africa, supported by the Merian Institute for Advanced Studies in Africa (MIASA), University of Ghana. Data were collected during the fellowship period from February to May 2019. Field observations were initially carried out along the Ghana–Togo border in April 2019, to observe the practices, procedures and daily experiences of ECOWAS migrants with regard to crossing the border.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 The Authors. International Migration © 2020 IOM
Copyright:
Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
Funding
This paper is made possible through support received from the Merian Institute for Advanced Studies (MIASA) in Africa Interdisciplinary Fellowship Programme at the University of Ghana where all the authors worked on a fellowship programme for up to four months. We would like to thank MIASA for the financial support towards the fieldwork. We also want to thank Festus Owooson, our research assistant, who assisted with the data collection. The research employed a qualitative approach to understand the diverse ways in which different categories of migrants experience the free movement protocol. The research reported is part of an Interdisciplinary Fellowship Group on Forced Migration and Displacement in Africa, supported by the Merian Institute for Advanced Studies in Africa (MIASA), University of Ghana. Data were collected during the fellowship period from February to May 2019. Field observations were initially carried out along the Ghana–Togo border in April 2019, to observe the practices, procedures and daily experiences of ECOWAS migrants with regard to crossing the border.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| Festus Owooson | |
| Merian Institute for Advanced Studies | |
| Merian Institute for Advanced Studies in Africa | |
| University of Ghana |
