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Paper short abstract:

Several obstacles have hindered the pan African drive, the colonial legacy cannot be forgot in a hurry. In recent times, Africans through hatred for fellow Africans have constituted the latest threat to pan-Africanism. The paper unearths the extent xenophobia is impacting negatively on Africa.

Paper long abstract:

While proponents of globalisation argue that the world is shrinking in a number of ways, the tensions created by migration are again challenging the movement of people and intergroup contacts in many places. In the case of Africa, while the history of pan-Africanism is long and continues to struggle for relevance in contemporary Africa, there are increasing episodes to suggest the rise (or re-emergence) of nationalism that repudiates pan-Africanism. It is in this context that this paper interrogates the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa and to some extent tensions in Ghana. It engages the questions: What are the factors responsible for this xenophobic attack in South Africa? How has African countries (and people) responded to this nationalism? How potent is this xenophobia to reducing pan-Africanism? Using qualitative method of analysis, the paper unpacks the implications of periodic xenophobic attacks in South Africa against fellow Africans, and unearths responses to it and its effects on Africa’s pan-African drive.

Keywords: Xenophobia, Pan-Africanism, Africa, and South Africa.

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Paper short abstract:

Using a desk research approach, we highlight how Pentecostal churches have become an important part of the migrant experience in South Africa. Black African migrants in face a precarious existence due to recurrent xenophobic attacks, poor working conditions, and high levels of crime.

Paper long abstract:

Pentecostal churches in South Africa have emerged as important spaces for migrants in their everyday struggles. The churches are an important space to explore the material and metaphysical aspects of being a migrant in a hostile space. The aim of this paper is thus to explore the role of the church in migrant struggles in South Africa. Black African migrants in South Africa face a precarious existence due to recurrent xenophobic attacks, poor working conditions, and high levels of crime. Over the past ten years South Africa has experienced periodic episodes of internal turmoil as xenophobic attacks on black foreigners from other African countries led to deaths, beatings, and loss of property. Migration narratives and debates have largely concentrated on political questions at the expense of how religion plays an integral part in the lived experiences of migrants. Using a desk research approach, we highlight how Pentecostal churches have become an important part of the migrant experience in South Africa. The major findings of the desk research highlight how religious institutions play a complex role in the everyday lives of migrants. On one hand the churches provide spiritual and material comfort especially in time of trouble such as xenophobic attacks on migrants, yet the same churches are embroiled in accusations of abuse and extracting money from their congregants. The paper concludes that Pentecostal churches are an important social institution in the lives of migrants in South Africa but there is need ensure protection of congregants from exploitative and abusive pastors.

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Paper short abstract:

While there are a multitude of challenges related to the phenomenon of population ageing, for many countries, one of the most prominent concerns is an increase in migrants who are ageing in a host country. Strategic efforts have overlooked ageing migrants in broader social and development efforts.

Paper long abstract:

Over the past few decades, South Africa has had a steady influx of migrants into the country. These migrants are generally younger people searching for better economic opportunities; however, many older migrants can be found across South Africa, especially in the informal economy. Generally, the assumption is that older people migrate to make the most of their ‘golden years’ and ease into retirement. However, in Africa and many other developing countries, many move when they are younger and age in the country of destination. Migrants journey to South Africa in hopes of a better future, yet years later many find themselves operating on the city streets trying to earn a livelihood. Little is known about the lived experiences older migrants in South Africa, especially those who are operating in the informal economy; therefore this study aims to address this research gap. This study uses a qualitative approach, drawing from one-on-one in-depth interviews to better understand the lived experiences of older migrants working in the informal economy. The study focused on a sample of 20 migrants aged 50 years and older. The interviews revealed that migrants who decide to leave their home country are attracted to better prospects for development and improved living conditions. They had settled in South Africa when they were much younger. Many migrants are very worried about their future in the country. They are particularly fearful of violent crimes, exploitation and intimidation. Many of the older migrants face a great deal of uncertainty daily - similar to the experiences of many other migrants in the country. Migrants working in the informal economy are fearful that their businesses will be attacked due to widespread anti-immigrant sentiments that exist in the country. This threatens their only source of income because without operating in the informal economy they will not be able to feed themselves or afford accommodation. These experiences highlight the urgency of ensuring the safety and well-being of older migrants and informal traders, and to cultivate a safe and healthy environment for those who have settled in the country and are growing older.

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Paper short abstract:

This paper explores rights violation in the context of social transformation and the original concept of community, which led to social disorder among sub-Saharan African migrant communities in Tunisia. It proposes an intercultural remediation project to address the challenges of living together.

Paper long abstract:

This article examines the sub-Saharan student communities in Tunisia from a micro-sociological and local perspective. Its objective is to determine the communal nature of their migratory experiences and representations, uncovering the significance of their communalizations.

Sociologists have been intrigued by the social transformation and the meaning of community, especially in light of industrialization and urbanization. This has resulted in divergent theoretical perspectives; some viewing modern social transformation as a shift from local community units to extracommunity systems, resulting in diminished cohesion and autonomy. Others propose arguments about the "lost," "saved," and "liberated"community in mass society. With this classification in mind, this paper focuses on the neighborhood community unit, the built environment, and the challenges of communal living to comprehend changes in sub-Saharan communities in Tunisia.

Adopting a qualitative approach, the paper explores the experiences of ten sub-Saharan migrant students from different communities, utilizing the sociology of the community to analyze collected data.The aim is to identify means used by these migrants to save a community lost due to migratory mobility and the disruption of the traditional social order, and establish a liberated community based on social interaction, shared links, and the regional context of Tunisia. The research constructs a model of interculturality, living together, emphasizing a neighborhood community unit distinct from Western societies' solitude and traditional community life's withdrawal. The objective is to create a shared space fostering meaning, identity, and socio-economic solidarity among communities.

Keywords: Communitarianism, sociology of community, migration, sub-Saharan students, interculurality

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Paper short abstract:

IGAD region faces instability, socioeconomics, and refugee influx in Ethiopia. Only 7% of refugees have higher education. The article examines Ethiopia's tertiary education for refugees, focusing on employment, returnees rate, and IGAD commitment. Findings inform policy and strengthen partnerships.

Paper long abstract:

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Region has countries with political-led insecurity, socioeconomic challenges, and a global warming-led drought-affected population. Its consequences led to a continuous influx of refugees crossing the Ethiopian border to receive protection and humanitarian support. The provision of tertiary refugee education is among these supports conceived as a human right. Member States include refugees in their national education systems. The UNHCR planned and committed to the 15by30 target to ensure 15% of young refugees for the tertiary program. However, UNHCR Global Report (2023) indicated that only 7% of refugees have access to higher education compared to only 1% in 2019. These facts are a clear indicator of the challenge of tertiary refugee education. Therefore, the main objective of this article is to assess the lessons learned from Ethiopia’s tertiary refugee education experience in backing the IGAD regional human capital and integration. More specifically, the focus of the article is on refugee graduates’ participation in employability in the host country, to what extent graduates return to their country of origin to reconstruct their nation, but also to examine Ethiopia’s performance in meeting the IGAD commitment to human capital and integration, and finally to identify possible scenarios to strengthen tertiary refugee education despite its challenges. The article uses empirical evidence on refugee education, working papers, and annual reports whose data are correctly analyzed and triangulated. Finally, the presenter will provide research findings and conclusions for policy issues designing and application on the ground while strengthening partnerships with stakeholders.

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This paper discusses the informal childcare practices adopted by rural-urban migrants in Ghana. Findings reveal that childcare practices by migrant mothers expose children to different forms of risk. The study calls on government and civil societies to intervene.

Paper long abstract:

Past studies analysing female-led migration have focused on earnings and have overlooked the impact on children’s health and well-being. We argue that for rural-urban female migrants in Ghana who lack access to both traditional forms of formal and informal childcare, migration is detrimental to children. This paper aimed to explore how the low socio-economic status of female migrant head-porters shapes their childcare choices. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with fifty female migrant head-porters in Kumasi, Ghana. Data was supplemented with focus group discussion and fieldwork. Although formal childcare options were available, participants only utilised informal arrangements to meet their childcare needs. These informal arrangements were classified under three main themes: childcare by self, childcare by childminders and child negligence. Findings revealed that mothers who adopted childcare by themselves superimposed childcare on their work. Mothers who utilised childminders left their children with women who operated small shops or food vendors within their community. Other mothers adopted child negligence as they allowed their children to care for themselves and their younger siblings. We found that all the informal strategies adopted by mothers exposed their children to myriad forms of risk. All mothers cited a lack of finances as the main reason behind adopted childcare strategies. Our study adds to the growing literature on childcare arrangements by rural-urban migrants in Africa. It also calls on government and NGOs to intervene and provide formal childcare options for children of female head-porters and also promote safe migration for female rural-urban migrants.

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This paper explores motivations of marine small-scale fishery migration in Ghana, as overfishing and unsustainable fishing practices have led to the depletion of marine fish-stock, compelling fishers to want to migrate to other West African countries to engage in small-scale fishing.

Paper long abstract:

The small-scale fishery industry is often attributed with overfishing and unsustainable fishing practices that contribute to the depletion of marine fish-stock in Ghana. Fishers have also been less willing to accept proposals for alternative livelihoods, such as crop-farming, animal husbandry and coastline aquaculture to allow for the fishes to re-plenish and restock. Facing these challenges, some fishers have often opted to migrate to engage in fishing elsewhere in other West African countries. In this paper, I explore drivers of marine small-scale fishery migration tendencies in Ghana. The paper draws on Malthusian and Cultural Rights theories of migration to analyse insights from ongo-ing empirical research and critical qualitative content analysis of peer-reviewed, media and civil society fishery reports. The paper highlights how the Malthusian theory, com-pared to the cultural rights theory of fishery migration, offers little explanations for the motivations of fishers to migrate. The Malthusian theory links overfishing with increases in fishing effort and hence holds population growth in fisher communities accountable for fisher migration. It however falls short of explaining why alternative livelihoods have barely succeeded in reducing overfishing. The cultural rights theory, however, stipulates fishing as both a livelihood and a lifestyle, and hence fishers are more likely to migrate to countries where they can continue to practice fishing as a cultural right. The paper concludes by demonstrating how fishery reforms can be inclusive of cultural rights of fishers and promote social justice for small-scale fisher communities in Ghana.

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Paper short abstract:

Beyond reporting deportation, the media can serve as agents for the protection of migrants in such situation. This intervention draws lessons from their (actual and neglected) role in the 1960s and 1980s deportation between Ghana and Nigeria.

Paper long abstract:

The media plays an important role in migration and deportation. Through reportage, the media not only brings both phenomenon to the notice of host communities, migrants and other stakeholders, but they can also motivate responses. Yet, little academic work exists on how the media frames migration and deportation. This paper intervenes in this important aspect of migration research by revisiting the deportation of Nigerians from Ghana in 1969 and Ghanaians from Nigeria in 1983. It sets out to achieve two interrelated objectives: (a) assess the coverage of the two deportations in Ghanaian and Nigerian media, and (b) tease out lessons from the actual and neglected roles of the media in the coverage of migrants before, during, and after (i.e. hereafter BD&A) the deportations. To do this, the paper analyses newspaper coverage in Ghana and Nigeria BD&A the deportations and in-depth interviews. The paper concludes by drawing some implications for peace journalism. This paper is part of a broader research project entitled “News media and Nigerians in Ghana: Exploring the Prospects and Challenges of Peace Journalism” funded by the Social Science Research Council’s African Peacebuilding Network (SSRC-APN) Individual Research Grant 2023-2024.