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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Main Authors: Suleman Dauda, Razak Jaha Imoro
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2022-12-01
Series:Cogent Social Sciences
Subjects:
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.
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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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