Ghana and COVID-19: Perspectives on livelihoods, health and living conditions of internal migrants in Accra
The prevalence of COVID-19 in cities worldwide has impacted diverse groups of people, with the effects being debilitating on those living in slums, older persons, persons with disabilities and migrant workers. In this paper, we examine the effects of the pandemic on internal migrant workers in Accra...
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2022-12-01
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Series: | Cogent Social Sciences |
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Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311886.2022.2072060 |
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author | Suleman Dauda Razak Jaha Imoro |
author_facet | Suleman Dauda Razak Jaha Imoro |
author_sort | Suleman Dauda |
collection | DOAJ |
description | The prevalence of COVID-19 in cities worldwide has impacted diverse groups of people, with the effects being debilitating on those living in slums, older persons, persons with disabilities and migrant workers. In this paper, we examine the effects of the pandemic on internal migrant workers in Accra, Ghana’s migration hotspot and measures implemented by the government to help them cope with the pandemic. Findings showed that COVID-19 have devastating impacts on internal migrant workers. Many have lost their livelihoods and were forced to return to places of origin. Besides, their poor living conditions put them at risk of contracting and spreading the virus. The government of Ghana’s response to the pandemic through lockdowns and travel restrictions failed to address teething challenges facing internal migrants–lack of accommodation, congested rooms, erratic incomes, limited access to health facilities–that the pandemic brought to light. On the basis of these findings, we recommend that the government, should commit more resources targeted at improving the economic, health and living conditions of internal migrants. In the short term, a dedicated financial support system for internal migrants is crucial to help ameliorate the impact of COVID-19 on them. |
first_indexed | 2024-12-12T02:48:21Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-1c4d4a9232f748cca3af2f06a32ed83a |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 2331-1886 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-12-12T02:48:21Z |
publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
record_format | Article |
series | Cogent Social Sciences |
spelling | doaj.art-1c4d4a9232f748cca3af2f06a32ed83a2022-12-22T00:40:57ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Social Sciences2331-18862022-12-018110.1080/23311886.2022.2072060Ghana and COVID-19: Perspectives on livelihoods, health and living conditions of internal migrants in AccraSuleman Dauda0Razak Jaha Imoro1Department of Geography and Regional Planning, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, GhanaDepartment of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, GhanaThe prevalence of COVID-19 in cities worldwide has impacted diverse groups of people, with the effects being debilitating on those living in slums, older persons, persons with disabilities and migrant workers. In this paper, we examine the effects of the pandemic on internal migrant workers in Accra, Ghana’s migration hotspot and measures implemented by the government to help them cope with the pandemic. Findings showed that COVID-19 have devastating impacts on internal migrant workers. Many have lost their livelihoods and were forced to return to places of origin. Besides, their poor living conditions put them at risk of contracting and spreading the virus. The government of Ghana’s response to the pandemic through lockdowns and travel restrictions failed to address teething challenges facing internal migrants–lack of accommodation, congested rooms, erratic incomes, limited access to health facilities–that the pandemic brought to light. On the basis of these findings, we recommend that the government, should commit more resources targeted at improving the economic, health and living conditions of internal migrants. In the short term, a dedicated financial support system for internal migrants is crucial to help ameliorate the impact of COVID-19 on them.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311886.2022.2072060COVID-19internal migrantslivelihoodsvulnerabilityimpactliving conditions |
spellingShingle | Suleman Dauda Razak Jaha Imoro Ghana and COVID-19: Perspectives on livelihoods, health and living conditions of internal migrants in Accra Cogent Social Sciences COVID-19 internal migrants livelihoods vulnerability impact living conditions |
title | Ghana and COVID-19: Perspectives on livelihoods, health and living conditions of internal migrants in Accra |
title_full | Ghana and COVID-19: Perspectives on livelihoods, health and living conditions of internal migrants in Accra |
title_fullStr | Ghana and COVID-19: Perspectives on livelihoods, health and living conditions of internal migrants in Accra |
title_full_unstemmed | Ghana and COVID-19: Perspectives on livelihoods, health and living conditions of internal migrants in Accra |
title_short | Ghana and COVID-19: Perspectives on livelihoods, health and living conditions of internal migrants in Accra |
title_sort | ghana and covid 19 perspectives on livelihoods health and living conditions of internal migrants in accra |
topic | COVID-19 internal migrants livelihoods vulnerability impact living conditions |
url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311886.2022.2072060 |
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