Migration, Social Demands and Environmental Change amongst the Frafra of Northern Ghana and the Biali in Northern Benin

Abstract

Abstract:The impacts of environmental change and degradation on human populations, including the possibility of sharp increases in the number of people considered "environmental migrants" have gained considerable attention. Migrating communities may try to distribute their members along particular lines of kinship, gender, marriage and/or services linked to land exploitation and agriculture. This paper explores archives and narratives of African migrants in northwestern Benin and northeastern Ghana. These regions have been marked by severe ecological change and resource deterioration over the years, as well as changes in marital patterns, family relations and customary practices. In the case of Benin, the paper looks at different ethnic groups that migrated from neighboring countries to the study region. It then focuses on the Biali, who undertake marriage journeys after practicing rituals, which are often related to agricultural activities. The Frafra (Ghana), who, in their bid to out-migrate as a livelihood/coping strategy in the advent of environmental deterioration and rainfall variability, are confronted with high bride prices, changing family relations and customary practices. The paper concludes by highlighting socio-cultural changes that ensue in the face of outmigration among different ethnic groups, especially the Biali and Frafra, and the relationship between non-environmental and environmental factors, and mobility strategies. OPEN ACCESSSustainability 2014, 6 376

Integration of Optical and Synthetic Aperture Radar Imagery for Improving Crop Mapping in Northwestern Benin, West Africa

“…The rainfall distribution in the area is uni-modal and lasts from May to October [39]. Annual rainfall ranges from 800 mm to 1100 mm [40], while the mean monthly temperature for the past 35 years has ranged between 25 °C and 30 °C [41].…”

The cycle of poverty and early marriage among women in Ghana (A case study of Kassena-Nankana).

“…The poor conditions and poverty rates prevalent in the three northern regions o f Ghana have major effects on rural-urban migration. Ruralurban migration in Ghana has long been associated with poverty and the low levels of development in the Kassena-Nankana district, as well as in the three Northern regions of Ghana in general (Sow et al, 2014). Regional inequalities relating to the allocating of resources are perhaps the most contributing factor to this problem in the northern part of Ghana.…”

“…These in 89 turn contribute to the rates of internal migration among the northern people. In addition, the lack o f infrastructure, unemployment, and low level of education influenced the youth migration to the southern part o f the country (Sow et al, 2014). Most schools in the study area and in the northern part o f Ghana generally lack educational facilities.…”

“…The limited appropriate jobs and livelihoods for literates from the north also influence their migration to the southern part to seek for better opportunities (Sow et al, 2014;Apusigah & Mohammed, 2005). There are therefore few mentors for children to view as role models.…”

“…The problems many girls face because of their unpreparedness for marriage create a serious burden on their daily marital roles and duties (Otoo-Oyortey & Pobi, 2003 (Sow et al, 2014).…”