Migration can inure to our benefit

There can be no world without migration because by nature human beings move from place to place, either internally or externally.

Several factors account for migration, such as economic, employment or work, security and safety or to escape conflict, for studies, to reunite with family or for other social reasons.

Migration involves moving to a place to settle permanently or temporarily due to any of the reasons outlined above.

However, migrating to a place has its own challenges, including difficulty in assimilating or integrating into a new society, hostility towards the migrant and language barrier, among other challenges.

It is for these reasons and the large and increasing number of migrants in the world that the UN General Assembly, on December 4, 2000, proclaimed December 18 as International Migrants Day (IMD) to recognise the important contribution of migrants, while highlighting the challenges they face.

The day, which this year is on the theme: “Honouring the contributions of the migrants and respecting their rights”, aims to celebrate migrants, to advocate their rights and to encourage the international community to work together to harness the power of migration.

The importance of migration cannot be discounted as it has contributed immensely towards world peace and security, brought economic fortunes to individuals, families, communities and nations and also saved thousands of people from untimely death.

Indeed, migrants enrich the cultural tapestry of societies and contribute significantly to the social and economic development of nations.

Migration has also promoted the integration of the world through the arts, sports and work. Every country in the world currently hosts foreign nationals who are not only contributing to the economy of their host countries, but also to their countries of origin through remittances to their kith and kin.

Current statistics indicate that in 2022 alone, personal remittances received in Ghana amounted to US$4.7 billion, increasing slightly from the preceding year’s figure of US$4,5 billion.

The highest figure attained in the past few years was US$5 billion in 2015.

The Daily Graphic lauds the government for launching the National Coordinating Mechanism on Migration and the Diaspora Engagement Policy, as well as implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration to help coordinate the effective management of migration in the country by ensuring that migrants and especially the youth are part of the solution.

Our view, however, is that there is more to be done to make migration beneficial to the country.

We agree with the assertion by the Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Elizabeth Kwatsoe Sackey, during an event to mark IMD, that there is the need for the country to invest in creating an environment that nurtures the skills and talents of migrants to help unlock their transformative potential.

As migrants possess fresh perspectives, innovative ideas and a determination to succeed against all odds, they are active contributors to the country’s economic, social and cultural development.

Indeed, we all need to renew our commitment to creating a country that values and invests in the skills of migrants, as they are also a driving force behind a prosperous future.

Ghana must be commended for its collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) over the years to take in and provide for people fleeing conflicts in the West Africa sub-region.

However, as stated by the Chief of Mission of the International Organisation for Migration, Fatou Dialo Ndiaye, migration in Ghana has been considered a livelihood coping mechanism over the years, which underscores the complex nature of migration as a social phenomenon that needs to be managed for sustainable development.

Protecting the rights and dignity of migrants means responding to humanitarian needs and advancing sustainable development.

Fundamentally, this is about defending our common humanity through solidarity in action.

Let us all accord migrants in the country the necessary courtesies as humans to enable them to also contribute to the society they are benefiting from.

 By so doing we would also be attracting the same civilities for our brothers and sisters who are also migrants in the diaspora.

Migration would then become a win-win situation for us all, enabling us to reap its full benefits.