In an effort to address the pressing issue of forced displacement in Anglophone West Africa, the Centre for Migration Studies at the University of Ghana has launched a pioneering project in collaboration with the International Development Research Centre – Centre de Recherches pour le Développement International (IDRC-CRDI).
The inception event and workshop, held at the Conference Hall in the Kwame Nkrumah Complex Building of the Institute of African Studies, marked the official commencement of the five-year project under the theme “Strengthening knowledge, evidence use and leadership in the Global South on forced displacement: Focus on Anglophone West Africa.”
As part of the inception, Prof. Mary Boatema Setrana, Director of the Centre for Migration Studies, University of Ghana, was outdoored as the IDRC Research Chair on Forced Displacement in West Africa.
In this role, Prof. Setrana will lead a team of researchers comprising Prof. Joseph Teye, Dr. Thomas Yeboah, Ms. Stella Effah, Mr. Kwesi Obeng, Prof. Delali Badasu, Dr. Leander Kandilige, and Dr. Johnson Appiah Kubi to enhance the visibility of knowledge production, facilitate knowledge transfer and exchange, and foster connections and mutual learning between senior faculty members and early career researchers working on issues related to forced displacement.
As the Research Chair, one of Prof. Setrana's key responsibilities is to elevate the perspectives developed through research in policy discussions at the national, regional, and global levels.
In her welcome address to open the event, Prof. Setrana highlighted the significance of the project. She detailed that the project is funded by IDRC to advance research, teaching, and policy development on migration-related issues.
Prof. Mary Boatema Setrana, Director, UG Centre for Migration Studies and IDRC Research Chair on Forced Displacement in West Africa
The renowned IDRC Research Chair also used the opportunity to underscore the urgent need to understand the root causes and dynamics of forced displacement, citing the substantial investment of 7.5 million Canadian Dollars by IDRC since 2021.
According to her, “The Centre is one of the 12 universities across 3 continents leading research on forced displacement under the fund.” She added that the grant would assist CMS in working towards achieving its goal as a research, teaching, and policy development center on migration-related issues.
Prof. Daniel Frimpong Ofori, Chairperson of the opening session and Provost of the College of Humanities stressed the University of Ghana's commitment to collaborating with various stakeholders to protect the rights of forcibly displaced persons. He expressed optimism that the project's findings would enhance knowledge and influence policy-making on forced displacement across Africa.
Prof. Daniel Frimpong Ofori, Provost of the College of Humanities
Dr. Thomas Yeboah, representing the project team, outlined the objectives and phases of the project while pointing out the interdisciplinary approach to be adopted by the team to generate evidence-based knowledge and support displaced populations across the sub-region.
According to Dr. Yeboah, the key objectives of the project, which will be domiciled in Ghana, Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria, include assessing the root causes of displacement and its intersection with gender dynamics. He noted that the project will further seek to examine the livelihood opportunities available to displaced populations and how these are influenced by gender and other attributes.
Dr. Thomas Yeboah
“Furthermore, the research will delve into the level of access to services by displaced populations, with a specific focus on the gender dynamics involved. Another aspect of the project involves evaluating the existing legal frameworks across the four countries under study, including their successes and implementation challenges,” he stated.
Dr. Yeboah announced that the project will also include training for early career researchers to effectively build capacity in responding to forced displacement. This multi-faceted approach, he stated, underscores the comprehensive nature of the project's goals in addressing the complex issue of forced displacement in Anglophone West Africa.
Mr. Isaac Owusu Mensah, Deputy Comptroller-General of Immigration (DCGI) in charge of Finance and Administration of the Ghana Immigration Service, stressed the necessity of comprehensive data collection and collaboration between academia and industry in addressing forced displacement. He commended the initiative and pledged support from the Ghana Immigration Service.
Mr. Isaac Owusu Mensah, Deputy Comptroller-General of Immigration (DCGI) in charge of Finance and Administration of the Ghana Immigration Service
For his part, Mr. Tetteh Kwao Padi, Executive Secretary of the Ghana Refugee Board, echoed the sentiment of urgency in addressing forced displacement, particularly emphasising the importance of gender considerations in research and interventions.
The workshop featured presentations from project partners, including the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Ghana Refugee Board (GRB), and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). These presentations provided insights into the roles and collaborations of the respective organisations in addressing forced displacement.
Following the presentations, participants engaged in discussions and made recommendations for the project. Among these were suggestions for the inclusion of neglected urban refugees, proactive disaster management measures, and a focus on the triple nexus of humanitarian response, development, and peace and security in the implementation of the project.
In her closing remarks, Prof. Setrana expressed gratitude to the funders, partners, stakeholders, and attendees for their support and participation in the inception launch and workshop.
The event was attended by representatives of partner organisations, government ministries, and the university community. The launch marked a significant milestone in addressing forced displacement in Anglophone West Africa.
The inception workshop had a total attendance of 108 individuals, comprising representatives from partner organisations, stakeholders from ministries and other organisations, as well as members of the University community, including students.
