This article examines the relationship between irregular migration, access to information and migration decisions. Using semi-structured interviews of thirty irregular return migrants who failed to reach their European destinations through Libya, I show that irregular return migrants from Ghana rely predominantly on interpersonal sources, including colleagues, neighbors, friends and relatives, for information on migration. Return migrants seek information from those who have relevant experience with that kind of migration. Existing research focuses on information from ‘formal’ sources such as traditional print media, social media, library or workshops. Here I argue that this focus on access to information conceals the activities and practices of irregular return migrants who perceive European destinations as ‘greener pastures’ and seek information to travel through dangerous routes. Most irregular return migrants interviewed in this study indicated they had access to information from ‘informal’ sources often shared as ‘jokes.’ Although irregular return migrants perceive the information they gather through their everyday activities as reliable, their interactions involve complex and unstructured social processes.

No abstract

No abstract

There have been rising global reported cases of suicidal behaviors in schools and universities. In this qualitative study, the authors sought to explore how self-directed thoughts and emotions of intrapersonal experience that come from school performance precipitate suicide ideation among university students. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to solicit self-reported information on self-directed thoughts and emotions of intrapersonal experience among 40 students from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi-Ghana. Two counselors from the Guidance and Counseling unit of the same institution were also interviewed. Theoretically, the paper employed Weiner’s motivational theory. This study used a six-phase thematic analysis. The study noted that intrapersonal experiences of self-directed thoughts, particularly unachieved expectancy of success and self-directed emotions of pride, guilt, and shame emanated from poor academic performance. From the data, the authors discovered that prayer, institutional support, for instance, the Guidance and Counseling Unit of KNUST and off-campus extracurricular activities mediated in curtailing or reducing the burden of suicide ideation with the eventual act of suicide. In conclusion, this paper has established that intrapersonal experience is complementary to the interpersonal experience of university students in the study of suicide ideation to holistically comprehend the internal and external factors that generate suicide ideation. This study recommends that the judicial system of Ghana should rethink decriminalizing suicide and attempted suicide if students are to acknowledge their state of suicide ideation for the necessary intervention. Keywords – Intrapersonal experience, suicide ideation, university students, Ghana, academic performance

Achieving inclusive and quality education for all children remains a significant problem amidst several policies in sub-Saharan Africa. This study explores challenges facing children with disabilities in mainstream inclusive education-based basic schools in a sub-Saharan Ghanaian context. A qualitative photovoice approach was employed to highlight the experiences of six (6) pupils with disabilities. Findings revealed three main themes: unfriendly environments, inaccessible physical structures, and lack of assistive equipment, reflecting significant challenges confronting children with disabilities in inclusive education settings. Social support from colleagues without disabilities, however, acted as a major coping resource for pupils with disabilities. The study has implications for policy an