Rural-urban migration in Ghana: A case study of selected migrants from Tamale municapilty in Kumasi metropolis

Studies have shown that rural-urban migrants migrate to search for employment opportunities in urban areas. Development disparities between the rural areas of Ghana and urban centres remain an issue of grave concern since independence. Undoubtedly, this situation resulted in seasonal and sometimes permanent migration of young people from rural areas to the urban-centres. Though the rural-urban migration in the country has received much scholarly attention concerning the causes and patterns of these movements, it is yet to be critically examined in terms of its causes, effects and problems encountered by migrants. The main objective of the study was to identify factors that contribute to rural-urban migration in the Kumasi Metropolis in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Data were collected from 30 migrants in Kumasi, Ghana, using an interview guide. The results show that the reasons for migration are mostly economic and are linked to unemployment, low incomes, lack of rural job opportunities, climate change and worsening living conditions in the rural areas. Migrants mostly engage in informal activities in the city because of their low levels of formal education. The study recommends that the development gap between the rural areas and the urban areas of the country be bridged to limit migratio