Return Migration, Reintegration and Sense of Belonging
The Case of Skilled Ghanaian Returnees
Abstract
Focusing on the issue of belonging as a substantial human social need, this book studies how skilled Ghanaian returnees cope with their return to their country of origin, depending on their previous experiences in Ghana and the foreign country they lived in for a while. Using the empirical basis of qualitative interview data, the book identifies the relationship between reintegration and sense of belonging, and argues that sense of belonging is a dimension of social reintegration for returning migrants. The key findings of this study show that returnees’ definitions of belonging fall into two categories: individual belonging (belonging to a place) and social/collective belonging (politics of belonging). Within these categories, belonging is defined in relation to being accepted, feeling at home, not being treated differently, having responsibilities and ownership. Individual belonging is thus expressed via feelings of attachment to Ghana as a place, resulting from factors such as memories of cultural and family heritage.
Zusammenfassung
Dieser Band beleuchtet verschiedene Aspekte der Rückkehr hochgebildeter Migranten aus Ghana. Anhand qualitativer Interviewdaten nimmt der Band das Zugehörigkeitsgefühl der Migranten zu ihrem Ursprungs- und ihrem Aufenthaltsland in den Blick und zeigt Herausforderungen auf, die die Rückkehrer in Ghana meistern müssen. Dabei werden Faktoren wie Sprache und Kulturunterschiede betrachtet. Der Band zeigt, dass der Adaptionsprozess sowohl von Seiten des Migranten als auch der Heimatgesellschaft stattfinden muss.
Schlagworte
Integration Afrika Africa Ghana Flüchtling Rückkehr Asylum Reintegration Sense of Belonging Returnees Skilled Returnees Return Migration Transnationalism Belonging and Identity RnB Module Non-migrants- 102–103 Results and Discussions 102–103
- 116–152 Chapter 7: Life Abroad 116–152
- 297–310 Chapter 12. Conclusion 297–310
- 311–330 Bibliography 311–330
- 331–335 Appendix 331–335