proceedings transcode 2 ghana workshop

“A multiple stakeholders approach in fostering cooperation and development

across transnational contexts”

WORKSHOP PROCEEDINGS

23 – 27 January 2012

Elmina Beach Resort, Central Region, Ghana

Organised by:

Centre for Migration Studies, University of Ghana

and

The Representative Council of Ghanaian Organizations (RECOGIN), The Netherlands

TRANSCODE 2TRANSCODE 2 Transnational Synergy and Transnational Synergy and

Cooperation for DevelopmentCooperation for Development

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3

DAY ONE • Opening Session 6

• Introduction of Participants and their Institutions 6

• Workshop Objectives and Program 6

• Opening: Transcode vision and multi-stakeholders model approach on

migration and development 7

• Session One: Linking the TRANSCODE theme to policy issues in the field of

Migration and Development 7

• Session Two: Key issues for TRANSCODE arising from current

Migration and Development for specific countries 13

• Evening Program

DAY TWO

• Recap of Activities 14

• Presentations on Current transnational initiatives/projects taken in Ghana,

Philippines, Italy and Netherlands 14

• Continuation of Presentations on Current transnational initiatives/projects

taken in Ghana 18

• Group presentations 26

• Evening Program 28

DAY THREE


• Second Transcode working group session: Discussion of new spin-off projects 29

• Field visits 29

DAY FOUR


• Group presentation on Transcode New Spin off Project 30

• Concretizing Discussions on Spin-off Projects 35

• Documenter’s Report 35

• Closing Remarks/ Vote of Thanks 35

DAY FIVE • Visit to Elmina Castle 36

• Departure from Elmina Beach Resort to Accra 36

APPENDICES

• Appendix A: List of Participants Attending TRANSCODE 2 Workshop in Ghana 37

• Appendix B: Programme Outline for the Workshop 38

• Appendix C: Working Groups 41

• Appendix D: Evaluation Form 42 • Appendix E: Summary of Evaluation 44 • Appendix F: Press Release 46

Proceedings TRANSCODE 2 — GHANA Workshop

COLOPHON

• Proceedings prepared by: Mary Osei Kyei

• Additional text: TRANSCODE Steering Committee

• Video and photo documentation: George Atiim

• Other photos courtesy of: L. Smith and M. Macol

• Lay-out: M. O. Kyei and M. Padilla

For more information: � Ghana workshop: Center for Migration Studies

Prof. Mariama Awumbila

http://cms.ug.edu.gh/

� TRANSCODE Secretariat: Malu Padilla

[email protected]

tel. +31 6 285 60 897

� www.facebook.com/pages/Transcode-Programme/312142875509912

Delegates from Ghana, The Netherlands, Italy and the Philippines met in

Elmina, Ghana for a four-day live-in workshop on Transnational Synergy for

Cooperation and Development (TRANSCODE) from the 23rd to the 27th of

January, 2012.

The TRANSCODE programme is a joint initiative started in 2009 by the

Scalabrini Migration Center (SMC) in the Philippines and the Radboud Uni-

versity (RU) in the Netherlands. The Scalabrini International Migration Insti-

tute (SIMI) in Italy came on board during the planning and implementation of

the Netherlands workshop (Soesterberg) in 2010.

The programme for TRANSCODE 2 has evolved into 3 components:

(1) Interface workshops,

(2) Facilitation of projects, and

(3) Research and publication.

TRANSCODE aims at promoting cooperation between migrant organisations

and development oriented organisations in The Netherlands, Italy, Philippines

and Ghana from a multi-stakeholder’s approach for the identification of best

practices for development initiatives. TRANSCODE is a five-year initiative

that seeks to implement within the timeframe at least five sustainable projects

to serve as model for collaborative multi- stakeholder and transnational efforts

for local/national development.

Prior to the Ghana workshop, workshops had been held in 2010 in Tagaytay

City (Philippines) and in Soesterberg ( Netherlands) under the umbrella of

TRANSCODE 1. Upon the recommendation of the Soesterberg workshop, the

Steering Committee started plans for Transcode 2 which includes the Ghana

workshop with the aim of opening up the initiative to participants from a new

set of origin and destination countries. Ghana and Italy were chosen on the

basis of several considerations including the existence of a sizeable Diaspora

in Europe, an emerging migration infrastructure, and the participation of local

governments in migration and development projects among others.

The Elmina workshop was organised by the Centre for Migration Studies

(CMS), University of Ghana and The Representative Council of Ghanaian

Organisations (RECOGIN) with the support of the steering committee mem-

bers. The workshop was funded, among others, by the Embassy of the King-

dom of the Netherlands, Accra, Ghana. This Ghana workshop is the first of


Transnational Synergy for Cooperation and Development

TRANSCODE 2 WORKSHOP, Elmina. Ghana

MOVING FROM ‘IDEAS’ TO ‘REALITIES’

Executive Summary

two workshops scheduled for 2012, with the second taking place in Rome in

April.

Thirty-six participants were drawn from Ghana, the Philippines, the Nether-

lands and Italy. They represented various national government agencies, local

sector (a.o. a major bank dealing with remittances), academia, other re-

searchers and government authorities, non-governmental organizations, Dias-

pora associations, the private sector (a.o. a major bank dealing with remittan-

ces), academia, other researchers and funding agencies (see Appendix A for

details on participants). Also present were the steering committee members.

The workshop aimed at offering a learning process to facilitate the exchange

of experiences from different stakeholders and provide a platform for debate

on concepts for transnational approaches to development, the constitution of

stakeholders, and the exploration of workable approaches. The workshop con-

ceptualized and began the initial development of spin-off projects that were

relevant to the TRANSCODE projects.

The four-day programme began with an opening session by Prof. Mariama

Awumbila, the Director of the Centre for Migration Studies (CMS), Universi-

ty of Ghana. She welcomed all participants present with a brief introduction to

Elmina, a town in the Central Region of Ghana. She said, Elmina is the cross-

roads between Africa and Europe, and its development has a connection with

the European trade with West Africa. She continued with an overview of

the four-day workshop. The opening session ended with the sharing of the

workshop objectives and programme by Dr. Lothar Smith of the Radboud

University Nijmegen.

The programme included presentations from key resource persons, working

group sessions and field visits. The presentations highlighted migration and

development (M&D) policies and practices in the context of TRANSCODE

being undertaken in Ghana, Philippines, the Netherlands and Italy. On the first

day, the programme focused on policy issues in the field of M&D and key

issues arising from current M&D initiatives in specific countries. The inputs

were given by resource persons from the academe, national governments and

the civil society. Dr. Fabio Baggio of SIMI presented M&D issues from a

theoretical perspective followed by Prof. Awumbila who gave an overview of

the Ghana M&D policies. For his part, Mr. David Agorsor of the Migration

Unit, Ministry of Interior of Ghana, talked about the Ghana’s initiatives on

M&D such as establishing a Migration Unit to coordinate migration-related

initiatives of all government units. Mr. Frits van Bruggen, representing the

Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Accra, talked about the

M&D policies of the Netherlands while Ms. Maria Luisa Reyes of the

National Reintegration Center for Overseas Filipino Workers made a presenta-

tion on Philippine migration policies, thrusts and directions.

Key issues arising from current M&D initiatives for specific counties were

presented by Dr. Ton van Naerssen (Netherlands), Dr.Baggio (Italy),

Dr. Marla Asis (Philippines) and Dr. Osman Alhassan (Ghana).

The second day had 17 presentations by representatives of development

NGOs and Diaspora organisations about their work, projects and initiatives

related to M&D. The projects range from large-scale food production develop-

ment initiatives, small- and large-scale entrepreneurships and capacity

building activities related to migration issues such as irregular migration and

migrants rights.


In order to ensure full participation of all participants, much time within the

programme was dedicated to workshop sessions for in-depth discussion on the

projects and initiatives presented during the second day. The first session

provided participants the platform to critically discuss and share their respec-

tive experiences on the M&D projects assigned to the various working groups.

These projects were discussed on the basis of the criteria WHAT (development

impact), WHO (multi-stakeholder approach), HOW (transnational engage-

ment) and WHERE (Bi-directionality).

The second session gave participants the opportunity to create new spin-off

projects (collaborative and transnational project ideas) on the basis of the key

TRANSCODE criteria. One project idea on Transnational Partnership on

Migration and Human Deve-lopment will look into the migration process,

food security and employment in sending communities, dialogues and active

citizenship in receiving countries, and reintegration of migrant returnees. The

second project idea, Transnational Initiatives for Sustainable Development in

Ghana, aims to create a platform to enhance information and resource

sharing and to strengthen coordination among the different stakeholders in

supporting livelihood, investments, brain gain and other development initia-

tives in Ghana. The third, A Micro Credit Project or Micro Financing for

Selected Projects, seeks to develop a more substantive transnational approach

to an existing micro-credit project format of one of the participants in the

workshop. Another proposal, Expanding and Adopting New Modalities for the

Burundi Project on Women, Peace and Security, builds cooperation between

various stakeholders, from different countries, who were involved with reinte-

gration programmes for women who have been subjected to negative social

processes related to migration.

Working group members were tasked to develop a concept paper to develop

these ideas into concrete projects and to facilitate fund sourcing. Further con-

cretization of the Concept Notes will be discussed during the follow-up

workshop which will be held in Rome, Italy on 23-25 April 2012 under the

auspices of the SIMI.

Participants also took a study trip to the Adventist Development and Relief

Agency (ADRA) woodlot project, Central Region Development Commission

(CEDECOM) handicraft industry and the Elmina-Gouda City Twinning

drainage project. The first two are private sector development partners offer-

ing opportunities (be it administrative, counselling, land acquisition or other

facilitation) to the Diaspora to contribute to the development of Ghana.

Participants at the workshop resolved to continue to explore opportunities for

closer collaboration. They also called for the integration of gender perspec-

tives in migration research especially on remittances.

In sum, the workshop was a useful follow-up to TRANSCODE 1, moving

from ‘ideas’ to ‘realities’. The workshop offered an opportunity for interac-

tion which was concretized into proposals for 4 spin-off projects to be devel-

oped further. It also offered opportunity for networking among participants

for future collaborative projects.

The Centre for Migration Studies and Recogin are grateful to all participants

for ensuring a successful workshop.


OPENING SESSION: Chair: Charles Vanderpuye, chairperson RECOGIN

The day’s activities began at 8:45 am with the registration of partici-

pants. The welcome address was delivered by Prof. Mariama Awumbila,

Director of Centre for Migration Studies, University of Ghana. She ex-

pressed gratitude to all members present and welcomed them to the 4-

day workshop. Prof. Awumbila gave a brief introduction of the commu-

nity for those visiting Elmina for the first time. In her introduction she

mentioned that over the years, Elmina has played an important role on

the crossroads between Africa and Europe and its development is there-

fore strongly linked to the development of European trade with West

Africa. She highlighted the important role of migration and the Diaspora in development and expressed the

hope that the recommendations will be useful at the end of the workshop. She also took the opportunity to in-

troduce the Centre for Migration Studies, notably to those new to Ghana and/or participating in the

TRANSCODE workshops for the first time. One of the key things she said was that, the Centre though focus on

research, teaching and training, also works closely with Civil Society Organisation and has been contracted by

the Ministry of Interior to draft a comprehensive migration policy for Ghana. Prof. Awumbila, before ending

her speech introduced the chairperson for the day, Mr. Charles Vanderpuye, chairperson of Representative

Council of Ghanaian Organisations in the Netherlands (RECOGIN), who stood in for the Dean, Faculty of So-

cial Studies, University of Ghana, who unfortunately had been held up in Accra.

Mr. Charles Vanderpuye, in his acceptance speech expressed his appreciation and joy for being part of the pro-

gramme and urged all participants to make the workshop much more informal and interactive. At this point, he

also introduced Recogin and stressed the need for all organizations to acknowledge the important role the Gha-

naian Diaspora through Recogin plays in the development agenda of Ghana. The chairperson then requested

participants to make self-introduction and asked participants to mention their various institutions.

Dr. Lothar Smith of Radboud University presented the workshop objectives and

programme. The workshop aimed at achieving the goal of TRANSCODE. This

is the development of a multi-stakeholder and transnational ideology, to the

identification of best practices, to development initiatives with a 5-year time-

line, 5 sustainable projects, and model development for collaborative multi-

stakeholder and transnational efforts for local/national development. Following

this broader goal, Dr. Smith then introduced participants to the workshop title:

“A multiple stakeholders’ approach in fostering cooperation and development

across transnational contexts”. He continued with the central endeavours and

the programme of the workshop: First, the workshop is a learning process to

facilitate the exchange of experiences from different stakeholders and provide a platform for debate on what

transnational approaches to development are, whom the stakeholders should involve, and what approaches to

adopt. Secondly, the workshop hopes to conceptualize and work out through spin-off projects relevant

TRANSCODE projects. He summarised the workshop programme as constituting the following:

• 1st day: M&D policies and practises: the context of Transcode

• 2nd day: Current transnational initiatives/projects taken in Ghana, Philippines, Italy and Netherlands

• 3rd day: Discussion of new spin-off projects and Field visits (ethnographic approach)

• 4th day: Reflecting on the Ghana projects visited and Spin-off projects part II

• Friday: Return to Accra, via Elmina castle

He concluded that the workshop programme sought to achieve a continuous but also progressive collective in-

put from all participants (stakeholders).

PROCEEDINGS OF DAY ONE - MONDAY, 21ST JANUARY

Over-all chairs: Prof. Mariama Awumbila (CMS) and Dr. Lothar Smith (Radboud University)


PRESENTATIONS

The opening session was followed by a short documentary film of TRANSCODE 1 workshop in the Philippines highlight-

ing projects jointly funded and operated by Filipino migrants. Presentations were also made by Dr. Fabio Baggio of the

Scalabrini International Migration Institute, Mr. Frits van Bruggen of the Netherlands Embassy in Accra which was fol-

lowed by individual presentations.

Dr. Fabio Baggio, centred on ‘Migration and Development (M&D): theo-retical perspectives’. He highlighted the ongoing discussion on M&D for the

past 60 years, which nonetheless, has yielded no consensus on the different po-

sitions of migration and development. He emphasized that contemporary enthu-

siasm on M&D nexus should not be too naïve. He cited recent initiatives that

are helping to deepen the reflection, also including new stakeholders. He noted

that the general consensus is that migration can help development process in

many countries only if some essential conditions are met. In view of this, he

outlined ‘channels’ through which the M&D can eventually work: Individual

remittances; Collective remittances (donation of different kinds); Migrant’s

investment (individual or group); Knowledge exchange (at different levels and

with different lengths); International cooperation aid through Diaspora (e.g. co-development funds).

He further supported his argument with outputs from recent studies, which indicated that, international migra-

tion has ambivalent development impact on the countries involved; so that while benefits are shared between

countries of origin and destination, the costs seem to be shouldered mainly by sending countries. Other out-

comes of recent studies have shown the possibilities of enhancing the benefits and reducing the cost. This may

be a good strategy, but often quite limited in terms of sustainability and inclusiveness (functionalist understand-

ing of the M&D nexus). For further reflection, Fabio suggested the following principles: Principles of co-

responsibility in the development of the human community applied to the M&D nexus; Principle of subsidiary

(respect of local communities and institutions) applied to the M&D nexus; Principle of democracy (inclusion of

all the stakeholders) applied to the M&D nexus; Human development: centrality of human being; individual,

family and community in every policy making exercise. In his conclusion, Dr. Baggio gave an overview of

what TRANSCODE stand for, its objectives and partners (find in the executive summary a briefing on

TRANSCODE).

Comments/Contribution • Participants suggested that TRANSCODE need to include children in their framework.

• Another participant also suggested that Ghanaian migrants should be educated on certain attitudes which

irritate host country governments to cut off certain policies good enough for Ghanaian migrants and

their children.

A brief remark after Dr. Baggio’s presentation was given by Mr. Frits van Bruggen from the Embassy of the

Kingdom of the Netherlands in Accra. He drew participants’ attention to his reflection on migration and cau-

tioned that, migration experts in discussing the bigger picture need to contextualize the issues of migration and

development, particularly for countries like Ghana who are gradually moving from low income to middle in-

come status. Thus, he noted future relationship between the Netherlands and Ghana might focus on more of

economic and trade cooperation etc.

SESSION ONE: Linking the TRANSCODE theme to policy issues in the field of Migration and Development

The first session began with a presentation by Prof. Awumbila on ‘Ghana’s

policy on Migration and Development: An Overview’. She noted the increas-

ing recognition of the potential of migration for stimulating development. She

further said the roles of migrants and Diasporas in development processes are

being increasingly highlighted and acknowledged. From a focus on emigrants as

embodying in the ‘brain drain’, migrants are now seen as central development

actors and important channels for development initiatives. As a result, there

is now a search for policy initiatives to engage migrants and Diaspora organisa-

tion in development cooperation and to maximize their contribution to develop-

ment. In the light of this, she elaborated the effects of migration in Ghana’s de-

velopment. In Ghana, studies indicate a whole range of positive feedback e.g.


remittances, acquisition of knowledge and skills, as well as the formation of trade and business networks by the

Ghanaian Diaspora. On the other hand, the negative repercussion of migration is mainly in the phenomenon of

the ‘brain drain’ or the loss of trained and educated individuals etc. She further observed that despite the contri-

butions made by migrants to development, policy responses have been poor. There is currently no comprehen-

sive national migration policy. The GPRS, which is the current key development policy, framework acknowl-

edges the potential of international migration for enhancing Ghana’s development by highlighting the impor-

tance of migrant remittances and identifying the Ghanaian Diaspora as a possible source of funding for some

development projects in the country. However, not much effort has been made to integrate migration into

Ghana’s national development agenda.

Prof. Awumbila further noted that in Ghana, governments have formulated policies, laws and programmes to

manage migration within the framework of several international conventions, protocols and policy instruments.

She summed up her presentation with caution that international migration should not be seen as a substitute for

development and there is the need to incorporate migration into the development agenda as well as integrate

migration issues into national development strategies, including poverty reduction strategies. There is every

indication that there are real opportunities to make migration work for Ghana’s development and there is the

need to continue to focus on opportunities to make migration work for Ghana. She also mentioned that we must

recognise the right of people not to migrate by facilitating their survival in their areas of origin and instituting

programmes that enhances access to local jobs and sustainable livelihood.

Following on this, was a presentation by Mr. David Agorsor, Director of

the Migration Unit, Ministry of Interior, Ghana, focusing on Ghana’s

initiatives on Migration and Development. He said that in February 2006,

the Ghanaian cabinet had approved the establishment of the Migration Unit

under the Ministry of the Interior to coordinate the activities of all govern-

mental institutions whose actions affect or are affected by migration. How-

ever, it was not until July 2008 that the Migration Unit was set up with lo-

gistics and technical support from the International Organization for Migra-

tion (IOM). The Migration Unit seeks to contribute to Ghana’s economic

and social development by providing key support to Government of Ghana’s efforts to better integrate migra-

tion into development planning. The specific objectives of the Unit include:

1. Ensure that the link between migration and development is clearly and practically made in the GPRS

revision for effective implementation of follow up activities, while aligned strategically with the rest of

the GPRS and its action plans.

2. Ensure that migration is mainstreamed into district plans, sector plans, and ten-year national plan;

3. Identify various options for managing migration for the benefit of socio-economic development and

poverty reduction that can be measured in objective, quantifiable manner, and for which progress can be

monitored;

4. Design effective strategies aligned with the overall national development planning in general and with

Multi-Donor Budgetary Support approach.

Mr. Agorsor said the Inter Ministerial Steering Committee is made up of fifteen (15) members with one (1) ob-

server. The 15 other members, each of whom shall be nominated by their respective Ministers, shall be high-

ranking officials (not below the rank of Director). He noted that the thematic working groups of the Migration

Unit are; Migration and Economic Development, Regular and Irregular Labour Migration; Migration Policy,

Information & Research. The Director noted that, with these thematic groups, the Migration Unit has chalked

some successes among which include; mainstreaming of migration into the 2010 National Population census

which has helped in gathering some data on migration and the Migration Profile Project which begun in Febru-

ary 2009 and was completed in February 2010 with support from IOM. Continuing with its mandate, the Unit is

currently managing the following on-going projects; migration policy; linking the Ghanaian Diaspora to the

development of Ghana and Inter-Ministerial Committee and Sub-Committee on policy Meetings scheduled for

the rest of the year.

Comments/Contribution:

• Ghana has a dual citizenship policy and this has reduced very many challenges of migrants who move in

and out of Ghana

• Coordinated profiling and data on migration is very crucial for development and policy making since as

at now existing data in Ghana is scattered.

Question: What are the plans of the Migration Unit towards the involvement of the Ghanaian Diaspora in their

activities? Do they want support or want to be supported?


Response: The Migration Unit intends setting up a support desk which seeks to provide solutions within their

capacity to individual migrants and the Diaspora communities. The ministry hopes to set up a counselling desk

which will offer advice as to what migrants could do, adopt certain ideas and find out what kind of support

migrants could provide on their return (whether tangible or intangible). Already, the government sometimes

pays visit to Ghanaian communities abroad.

Comment: IOM is an observer to the Migration Unit of Ghana.

Mr. Frits van Bruggen, of Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in

Accra, representing the Dutch Ambassador spoke on Dutch Policy on Migra-

tion and Development. He said that traditionally, Dutch policy focused on

human rights, peacekeeping and development cooperation. Migration has been

added in recent years to the list of issues as demonstrated in 2008 when a policy

document “International Migration and Development,” was presented to Parlia-

ment by both the then Minister for Development Cooperation and the then

Undersecretary of Justice, responsible for Immigration and Integration. The six

priority policies of the Dutch government include:

1. More attention to migration in the development dialogue and at the same time more attention for devel-

opment in the migration dialogue – which involve active contributions to discussions at the international,

European and national levels like the campaigns to increase awareness in Dutch society to stimulate inte-

gration of migration in development policy;

2. Institutional development in the field of migration management which aims at minimizing social evils

and abuses and human trafficking;

3. Promoting circular migration (brain gain) to allow economically developed countries to fill temporary

job openings, migrants to earn income and acquire skills, and home countries to welcome returning

skilled individuals. The Netherlands’ idea for personal development plans presented in its pilot project

for circular migration was cited as good practice;

4. Strengthening the involvement of migrant organizations with the provision of capacity building programs

to become equal partners in development cooperation;

5. Strengthening the relationship between remittances and development by improving transparency in the

Dutch market for those who wish to send remittances; and

6. Promoting sustainable return and reintegration of migrants to safeguard the integrity and public support

for the asylum policy.

Mr. van Bruggen further emphasized that developments in Dutch society make it necessary to find solutions for

regulating migration. The government has started looking closer at the linkage between migration and

development and has come up with a number of initiatives aimed at strengthening coherence. According to

him, the Dutch government will continue to search for solutions in collaboration with representatives from civil

society. He mentioned that participation in the workshop, trying to foster mutual understanding, is a valuable

step on the way to building coherence between migration and development policy.

Comments/Contribution: • Migrant bodies should be made part of policy making for host countries since those policies are made for

migrants. Mr. Van Bruggen was asked if a Ghanaian body like RECOGIN could take part in migrant

policies.

• In response, he said that all proposals go through the six mentioned priorities as stated in the presentation

as well as certain legal conditions. Much to this remain policies and so much cannot be done about that if

proposals fall out of these policies. Again, he said Ghana is high on the list of funding which is also com-

petitive.

Ma Luisa S. Reyes, Director Department of Labour Employment, National Reintegration Center for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) made a pres-

entation on Philippine Migration: Policies, Thrusts and Directions. She first

of all gave an overview of all Deployed Filipino workers overseas either land

based or sea based and the remittances of overseas Filipino workers (OFW).

She noted that, Philippine’s economy largely depends on remittances of mi-

grants and government policies are aimed at attracting these migrants. She men-

tioned the social contract of the president with the Filipino people (16 point


agenda), 22 point platform and policy pronunciation on labour and employment, Philippine labour and employ-

ment Plan (2011-2016) and decent work common agenda strategies objectives. Ma Luisa indicated that, assist-

ing OFWs in achieving financial stability through training, investment and savings programs was one of the

strategies. Another strategy is to complete a global trading master plan that aims to establish worldwide trading

posts that rely on the labour, knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit of OFWs and to facilitate the re-integration

of returning OFWs by favourable terms of investment, tax incentives, access to government financial institu-

tions and other benefits that are offered to foreign investors. In addition, the organisation aims at addressing

some concerns of migrant workers: workers rights; social cost and dialogue. She ended her presentation with a

brief outline of some sustaining outcomes and improving internal governance.

Comments/Contribution: Question: How dangerous is it for a country to rely on remittances and what is the government’s long term goal

since return of these migrants can happen at any time?

Response: The government has a master plan of absorbing the skills of these migrants as well as building the

internal economy by encouraging return migrants to invest in the country and also hire their skills.

Question: What personal role does the government have in ensuring that these policies are implemented?

Response: These policies are the visions of the government in the first place and that makes it very involving

when it comes to achieving these policies.

SESSION TWO:

Key issues for TRANSCODE arising from current M&D initiatives for specific countries

The second session was chaired by Dr. Lothar Smith who gave a brief overview of the presentations outlines.

Mr. Peter van Eijk, project leader Elmina-Gouda Drainage project, high-lighted in his presentation the projects engaged in by the Elmina-Gouda

City Twinning. He showed participants the initial project on drainage and

waste collection and the later projects which included toilet facilities, the pro-

vision of ambulance and the training of experts on how to use this equipment.


Question: Are the benefits of this project bi-directional?

Response: For now, Elmina is not contributing to the development of Gouda. Participants were surprised and

expressed the need for a bidirectional benefit between Gouda and Elmina - an important component of

TRANSCODE. It was suggested that Mr. Peter van Eijk begins to explore the benefits Elmina could be provid-

ing for the development of Gouda.

Dr. Ton van Naerssen, Radboud University Nijmegen, presented a paper

on the Key Issues for TRANSCODE from Dutch Migration and Develop-ment. Among the key issues were the partners of TRANSCODE which include

Schokland agreements (2007) regarding innovative forms of cooperation be-

tween governmental agencies, private business and civil society and New

Framework (MFS II; 2011-2015) for funding civil society alliances (CFOs = Co

-Financing Organizations). Another key issue is addressing migration and de-

velopment for TRANSCODE from Dutch policies. The Ministry of Foreign

Affairs in its 2008 Memorandum on Migration and Development mentions six

policy priorities of its migration and development program:

1. More attention for migration in development dialogues and the other way round;

2. Institutional development in the area of migration management;

3. Encouragement of circular migration/brain gain with an emphasis on labour migration;

4. Strengthening involvement of migrant organizations;

5. Strengthening of the linkage between migrant remittances and development;

6. Promotion of sustainable return (and re-integration).

These priorities however, cannot escape the challenges of circular migration and particularly the emphasis on

Sustainable Voluntary Return (to which 55 percent of the M&D budget is now going). Thus Dr. van Naerssen


gave insight into one of the challenges of sustainable return using the case of Mauro Manuel from Angola who

arrived in The Netherlands at the age of 9 years. His case became a public debate in 2011 because in Novem-

ber, parliament refused to grant him permit to stay but granted one year extension for study purposes only.

He further highlighted the contribution of semi-governments such as the International Organization for Migra-

tion (IOM). IOM is engaged in return migration and facilitates visits of skilled migrants to provide assistance

and knowledge transfer in the country of origin. It supports returning migrants who are intending to start small

businesses in home countries. He also said, CORDAID and OXFAM/NOVIB support M&D programmes

and elaborated on a Gender and Remittances programme. Among the activities undertaken within the Gender

and Remittances are Workshops and field visits; Literature studies; Expert meeting; Diaspora-meeting and

Follow ups.

Comments/Contribution

• Research on migration needs to consider the gender bit of remittances which has not received much attention from

scholars. A suggestion was made as to whether a short questionnaire could be drafted to solicit information to that

effect. The question could include the purpose of money, though people are usually apprehensive in matters of such

nature.

• On the issue of returning, migrants need some form of training to gain some skills which could sustain them upon

return, since the voluntary assisted monies are not enough.

• TRANSCODE in developing its plans need to include migrant groups, Centre for Migration Studies, and all rele-

vant counterparts in developing ways and means of ensuring sustainable return for migrants who wish to do so or

who are forced to do so.

Question: What do we mean by sustainable return? Are we talking about returning and never coming back?

Response from audience: Some of us have lived all our lives abroad and if the decision is to let us come back to our home

countries, then probably migrants need to be given half of the amount received in host countries. Though these sound un-

reasonable to policy makers, it is actually the reality in ensuring sustainable return.

Question: Does the Centre for Migration know about the reintegration policies of the IOM?

Response: Yes, the IOM bring the migrants from abroad, give them some amount of money though not enough and set

them up in an income-generating venture. For example, in Nkoranza, IOM has a sunflower project that supports return

migrants.

Dr. Fabio Baggio, Scalabrini International Migration Institute, Italy, gave an overview of M&D exercise

in Italy: Present Situation prepared by Fabio Baggio and Edmund Agyeman, Scalabrini International

Migration Institute. The paper compared the situation of Ghanaian and Filipino migrants in Italy. It was re-

vealed that there are 53,000 Ghanaian migrants as compared to 122,000 Filipino migrants in Italy. Among the

Ghanaians, 60% are males while 40% are females, but among the Filipinos, 40% are males and 60% females.

As much as 90% of the Ghanaian population reside in the North, as compared with 50% Filipinos in Lombardy

and Lazio (big cities). Distinctively whilst more Ghanaian migrants are employed in industrial sector, the Fili-

pinos are engaged mostly in domestic work. He discussed the concerns of the Italian Government in two di-

mensions, officially and concretely. Officially, the Italian government recognises the contribution of migrants’

to domestic economy at least in principle.

The presentation further posited that funds are usually allotted for different projects at the two official ap-

proaches. a) Integration e.g. Ministry of interior and regions (FEI) and municipalities (Comune di Roma) b) Co

-development e.g. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIDA), regions, province and municipality (Commune di Mi-

lano). He also spoke of the decentralisation of resources: to regions, provinces and municipalities, which he

said was rarely made available for transnational projects. Dr. Baggio concluded his presentation with some gen-

eral considerations: The principle of co-responsibility is not yet part of the M&D reflection; Substantial ab-

sence of the private sector from the M&D exercise; Italian local governments not really prepared to deal with

transnational M&D initiatives; Uneven institutional strength and project development capacity of migrants as-

sociation with different access to funds; Little engagement in the M&D exercise of the countries of destination

through their diplomatic posts.



• Social protection/security for migrants is a key issue since most migrants spend a greater part of their life

time working overseas and return home at their retirement age. Returnees are more likely to become a

burden on the home country if they do not have any form of social security from host countries.

• Government needs to factor the Diaspora in its policy making since they are indispensable component in

decision-making. The Migration Unit-Ghana intends to involve the Diaspora in its activities.

• The data on educational levels in Italy was not included in the presentation. It will be interesting to know

why Ghanaians are mostly employed in industrial than domestic jobs. Is it because they are highly

educated?

• The issue of industrial employment among Ghanaians has to do more with social networks, Ghanaians

recommending their fellow countrymen to industries where they are already working. Dr. Fabio Baggio

concluded the focus on M&D should understand the ability of migrants to change jobs when, and how

they decide to.

Dr. Marla Asis of the Scalabrini Migration Center, Philippines, presented

on Migration & Development in the Philippines: The TRANSCODE Frame-

work and Its Potentials. She gave an overview of the distribution of overseas

Filipinos by region as at December 2010, the different migration regimes

overseas Filipinos are in, and the rapid growth of migrants’ remittances. In

the Philippines, state-initiated labour migration started in the 1970s and over

the years, labour migration diversified in terms of destinations (from mostly

the Middle East to global labour markets) and the gender profile of migrants

(from mostly male to a more balanced gender composition). Although labour

migration was supposed to be temporary, it has become “permanently tempo-

rary labour migration.” Migration policies in the Philippines evolved into a

combination of labour promotion and worker protection. She indicated that the Philippines is regarded in the

international community as an examplar of “migration management.” It has established various institutions to

deal with issues and concerns attendant to international migration, especially temporary labour migration (for

programs and services for permanent migrants, see Commission on Filipinos Overseas, www.cfo.org.ph). The

state established legal and legislative framework to manage labour migration. It has further developed policies,

programs and services covering the full migration cycle: pre-migration, onsite, and return and reintegration.

The state also sought bilateral arrangements with destination countries and is a party to a number of interna-

tional instruments seeking to protect migrants, including the Migrant Workers Convention.

Thus far, migration management in the Philippines is mostly labour promotion and worker protection; its mi-

gration policies and initiatives are not linked to development. The appreciation of the migration-development

nexus is centered on remittances. The Migrants’ Associations and Philippine Institutions for Development

(MAPID) Project, 2008-2010, highlighted a number of critical gaps, which must be addressed to fully appreci-

ate how migration can affect development and vice-versa. Recent developments indicate steps towards a more

migration and development framework. These include: the Philippine Development Plan, 2011-2016 dropped

the target of sending a million workers every year and addresses migration and development issues in various

chapter; the Commission on Filipinos Overseas has stepped up efforts to organize more migration and develop-

ment initiatives; and the government has provided more support to beef up the National Reintegration Center

for OFWs. She also provided updates on the migration and development initiatives of selected institutions

which participated in Transcode 1.

These include: the involvement of the National Economic Development Authority in a collective remittance for

development project supported by Western Union; the launching of the Pinoy WISE (Worldwide Initiative for

Investments, Saving and Entrepreneurhip) which involves Atikha and Philcomdev; the reformulation of Ayala

Foundation USA into the Philippine Forum for Development; and various examples of cooperation and synergy

among Philippine Transcode participants.

In conclusion, Dr. Marla Asis said, the next phase for migration and development in the Philippines will work

on levelling up from the “deploy and protect” orientation in place for decades. Some TRANSCODE elements

are evident in current migration and development initiatives: multi-stakeholders, transnational, multilevel

(people-to-people component is strong, especially. in inception stages). Among the remaining challenges are:

clarifying the terms of engagement of different players, scaling up, replicability and sustainability. Assessment

of these issues is critical.



There was a comment that civil society organizations (CSOs) in the Philippines seems to exert an influential

role in the Philippine government’s migration policies. Indeed, CSOs have considerable space in migration

governance in the Philippines. Also, aside from offering alternative views of migration, CSOs have developed

programs and services, some of which had been adopted by the government. One example is the pre-departure

orientation seminar for departing migrant workers – this initiative was institutionalized in 1983.”

Question: What are the debates surrounding the handling of migration policies in the Philippines? This ques-

tion is important because there is still a debate among the Ministries in Ghana as to which Ministry should be in

charge of migration issues

Response: There was not much debate in the Philippines concerning which ministry should handle it. In the

Philippines, institutions have developed to deal with different categories of migrants. In the case of labour mi-

grants, the office dealing with their concerns had their beginnings from a small office within the Ministry of

Labour, but it later evolved into two specific offices under the Department of Labor and Employment: the Phil-

ippine Overseas Employment Administration, which is responsible for regulation of overseas employment, and

the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, which is responsible for welfare concerns. The Commission on

Filipinos Overseas is responsible for permanent migrants. The challenge in the Philippines is to identify a spe-

cific government agency to deal with migration and development issues.

Dr. Osman Alhassan, CMS, University of Ghana presented on the role of civil society in migration and development policy making in Ghana. He

began the presentation with the gaps in literature and government policies in

involving Civil Society Organisations in the area of migration and development.

He said effective formal engagement is a precondition for engaging migrants

and the Diaspora in the development of their respective home countries. To

him, involving the diaspora in Ghana’s development is a way of ensuring an

integrated and comprehensive approach to managing migration and develop-

ment. Unfortunately, not much of this engagement has gone on between govern-

ment and civil society organizations.

In an attempt to argue for Civil Societies, he went ahead to mention some associations and their initiatives on

migration and development in Ghana: e.g. Gonjaland Association; Kpeve Hometown Association; Akyem

Amanase Hometown Association and Dagbon Development Association. He among other things enlisted some

of their initiatives: a) Funds raised from members living in the Diaspora are an important source of funding for

their activities) Funds mobilised from migrants (and splinter associations based on occupation) and used to sup-

port worthy causes for its members and c) Funds raised from social activities associated with ceremonies and

festivals is also used to support integration of migrants and others. In the light of these contributions, Dr. Alhas-

san, suggested policy recommendations for relevant stakeholders. Some of the recommendations are: a) the

state should lead in establishing networks with migrant associations of all shades. b) Facilitate collaboration

among these associations and c) Widen development cooperation and collaboration (formal and informal state

institutions and agencies)


• Talking about the Diaspora, what is the situation of American-African Diaspora, are they also part of the

Diaspora? Indeed, initially in Ghana it was thought that the American-African were the only Diaspora

until later.

• There is a struggle between charismatic churches and Diaspora associations for migrants’ funds in host

countries. Churches are finding ways and means of discouraging migrants to invest in Diaspora associa-

tions.

• These associations do a lot of lobbying in getting help for the country of origin

EVENING PROGRAMME

Later in the evening, participants gathered to watch two video documentaries: (a) the full version of the video

documentary of Transcode 1 in the Philippines and the Netherlands, and (b) gender and remittances research

project of Oxfam-Novib.


PROCEEDINGS OF DAY TWO - TUESDAY, 22ND JANUARY

Second day programme started with a welcome note by Prof. Awumbila and a brief

insight into the days programme as reflected in the theme for the day ‘current transna-

tional initiatives/Projects taken in Ghana, Philippines, Italy and Netherlands’. The

chairperson, Dr. Delali Badasu recapped the activities of the previous days and urged

presenters to work within the fifteen-minutes allotted them.

SESSION 3:

Sharing of examples of projects:

Presentation of projects from the Philippines, the Netherlands and Italy Chair: Dr. Delali Badasu

��ITALY:

Mr. Gilbert Abasimi started his presentation with the objectives and goals of COGNAI. He outlined the ob-

jectives as: i) To unite and govern all Ghanaian associations in Italy ii) Promote solidarity and charity amongst

Ghanaians/Unions iii) To promote socio-cultural activities iv) To act as reference or contact centre for the Gha-

naian community in Italy v) To promote co-developmental project. He mentioned also that, the goals of the as-

sociation include: a) Enhance the human potentials of Ghanaians in Italy for effective integration/ intercultural

representation and b) to serve as a platform for international dialogue, with particular attention on Ghana.

COGNAI according to Mr. Abasimi, is made up of different associations such as ethnic/town groups, religious

groups and provincial associations. COGNAI additionally has embarked on a number of projects such as the

Ghana Day held in 2006 and the Ghana Pineapple offer, Contribution to fight malaria in Ghana and Torino

Business Convention. In conclusion, Mr. Abasimi updated par-

ticipants on some achieved results. He said, in 2007 only 5

bags of their farm products were harvested while in 2008, 15

bags were harvested; the Tractor served in carrying sand and

stones for others which for example was deployed in Tono to-

mato farm ploughing; 50 youth were employed compressively.

Ms. Macrina Macol, representative of MAPID gave an over-

view of projects by Philippine organizations in Italy. She gave

a rough estimate of Filipino organizations in major cities in

Italy (Milan – 246, Turin- 198, Naples-112, and Rome-226)

engaged in different projects. She began with the Philippine

Consortium on Migration and Development which is aimed at giving training on how to value formation. They

also engaged in educational campaign and encourage OFW’s (Overseas Filipino Workers) and their families to

save and invest their monies. Some of organization’s activities highlighted include the making of jewelleries

and ladies accessories and capacity building (financial literacy training).

The Gran Madre di Dio community another Filipino organization activities include Sunday mass, Eucharistic

activities, cultural and traditional activities (such as Christmas night mass, Easter days activities, Mayflower

festival, Bible study, Sunday bible school for children, Organization retreat twice in a year and, leadership

training workshops). She ended her presentation with the project of the Commission for Migrant Workers in

Italy whose activities include Munting Tahanan (Little Home) Day Care School, Munting Paaralan (Little

School). These teach Philippine History, Cultures, Traditions, Language, and the organisation of the annual

Philippine tour funded by the local government.

Comments/Contribution: Question: Do these Diaspora Associations provide after return assistance since little money is given to assisted

voluntary returnees?

Response: To this question, the response was that they do not exactly do that however they are currently pro-

viding support on a smaller group of migrants with mental problems.

Question: Why is it so important to form an ‘umbrella’ of all Ghanaian organizations in Italy, i.e. why is Italy

and the relevant demarcated territory the underlying principle (question also holds for other ‘national’ umbrella

organizations)?


Response: For this the running theme justifying the unification was that, having a common platform makes it

more appropriate to have a discussion with the national government.

Question: How does your organisation market its farm produce, I am curious because the sunflower project set

up by IOM has not been successful because there was no ready market for them?

Response: The produces are exported to Italy where markets are assured. Additionally, Ghanacoop also liaise

with the Ministry of Health, Ghana, to raise funds in support of the Malaria project. In that sense, the ministry

does the marketing.

Question: What inform the associations’ decision in terms of providing assistance to the country of Origin?

The question is asked because sometimes, the help given by these associations do not fall within the needs of

the community of origin.

Response: Mr. Abasimi emphasized the point that, COGNAI has consistently operated within the development

agenda of Ghana. Before taking any decision, it first contact directly the local government to either pledge their

support, this is to ensure active participation of the project by the community in question. However, among the

Filipinos, individual migrants are given the chance to decide on what and where to support.

Question: Apart from charity works, does the association provide any kind of support to migrants in the host

country?

Response: The Association offers assistants to the host migrants includes professional counseling to migrant

parents and their children and provision of language classes for children of migrants.

��PHILIPPINES AND BURUNDI

Ms. Carmelita Nuqui, the Executive Director of the Development Action for Women Network (DAWN)

started her presentation with the history and activities of the organisation. She said DAWN was established on

February 6, 1996 and is located in Rm. 514 Don Santiago Building, 1344 Taft Avenue, Ermita, Manila. The

goals of the NGO are to: ensure the immediate reintegration of returning distressed migrant women with their

families into the larger Philippine society; create alternative livelihood opportunities for returning migrant

women as an option to migration; generate a strong public opinion against all forms of abuse, violence and dis-

crimination inflicted on migrant women and children; build a wide network of support for distressed Filipino

migrant women and their families; and develop DAWN as a competent and self-sustaining support institution

for distressed migrant women and their families. The vision of DAWN is to create a society where women and

men share equal opportunities for a just and humane living, creating empowered and self-reliant families in

communities where each one cares for one another in the spirit of peace based on justice; and where migration

is an option that is respected and protected. The mission of DAWN includes: to live in hope with the Filipino

people, especially with the returning distressed migrant women and Japanese-Filipino children, through pro-

grams and services that enable them and their families to regain and strengthen their sense of dignity and self-

worth and reclaim their wholeness; and to generate strong public support for the promotion of issues, rights and

concerns of Filipino migrants and their families, as well as provide possible alternatives to their families and to

their situation.

The NGO has been involved in the plight of Overseas Performing Artists (OPAs) usually deployed to Japan.

The major programs of DAWN include: Social Services, Alternative Livelihood, Advocacy and Research, Net-

working and Development outcomes. According to Ms Nuqui, future plans of DAWN includes expansion of

scope to include migrant domestic worker returnees, increase in the number of trainees, provide other skills

training for women such as organic soap-making (in partnership with DOST), recycling projects, fostering part-

nerships with other training institutions, and companies with good CSR, improved and widen market reach and

replicate the projects with partners

The experience of the Burundian Women for Peace and

Development (BWPD) was presented by Ms. Stephanie

Mbanzendore, chairperson of the organization. The BWPD

was formed by Burundian women living in the Netherlands

with the goal of working for peace, ignite social harmony and

development from [by] and for women in Africa. The associa-

tion strives for the integration of Burundian citizens, with

focus on women and the youth; publicises the Burundi to

make it better known; whilst seeking to link with organiza-

tions which focus on women’s emancipation. The objectives

of the BWPD are to contribute to the Burundian peace

process, social harmony, good cohabitation and peaceful


resolution of the conflict; building a pressure group to influence the government in involving women in deci-

sion-making and campaigns on HIV/AIDS among the youth. She noted there can be “no development without

peace; no development without the involvement of women”. The experience of the social harmony project in

Kirundo Province was shared with the participants. According to Ms. Mbanzendore, the project started in 2005

after a visit of Dutch women to Burundi. The project site is the province of Kirundo, north of Burundi and close

to the Rwanda border, a long forgotten area by all governments as evident in the low degree of development.

The civil war (1993-2005) has left deep wounds in the population with many traumatized and in need of assis-

tance. The BWPD chose to work in Kirundo to educate people about peaceful co-existence, to eradicate all

forms of violence against women, to promote the development of women and youth, to enhance their liveli-

hood, to fight against HIV/AIDS, to create a multicultural place and a training centre for women and the youth.

She ended her presentation by stressing that peace, social harmony and respect for human rights are among the

fundamental principles of human life. The BWPD promotes these principles everywhere. She also recom-

mended international cooperation and exchange in order to strengthen peace in the world, particularly in Africa.

Ms. Mbanzendore indicated that BWPD’s have collaborative project with DAWN on Weaving and Sewing,

which is just about starting.


Question: What is the NGO doing to reconcile families and friends within the working area?

Response: We are still harmonising and this involves series of activities but we hope with time the interest will

change to include men and women to resolve conflicts as well.

Question: Do you have issues in international migration and if that could be replicated in Ghana?

Response: Yes we do have an advocacy group. The NGO also works within ILO laws for domestic workers,

trafficking and internal migration.

Question: How does the interest of these organisations fall within the interest of development donors, for ex-

ample the weaving, sewing among others? And is the strategy in a post conflict situation applicable to volun-

tary returnees?

Response: The primary objective is to make the women innovative and economically sound.

Question: How sustainable are these incomes?

Response: First of all, the women are proud of the new skills they have acquired and to have started a business

of their own. The allowances given by DAWN are invested in trading which also supports them financially.

Some responses from the women indicate that there are happy to receive the fewer amounts in Philippines than

the struggles (no food to eat, delay or absence of wages) they went through in Hong Kong.

Question: What is the connection between Burundi and The Netherlands and how are these many activities

coordinated?

Response: The NGO is a partner to women and children’s rights in The Netherlands and has also been recog-

nised by the Burundi government as an NGO. The many diverse activities of the NGO are organised by em-

ployees while I do the supervision.

��THE NETHERLANDS:

Ama van Dantzig, a representative from Dutch Consortium of Migrant Organisations, in her presentation

made participants aware that the Diaspora Business Centre (DBC) is an initiative for Kenya, Ghana, Somali by

Diaspora for Diaspora. She said, the development sector needs a new image including the introduction of new

business models and products that facilitate sustainability of the non-profit sector organizations with the goal to

contribute to poverty alleviation in Kenya, Ghana and Somalia. In order to achieve this, the role of remittances

from the Diaspora and the international development initiatives is very instrumental. She said the aim of the

DBC project, is to address the main Learning questions through an action-oriented research that is intended

to facilitate the initiation and setting up of the DBC. Their partners are Equity bank, Triodos Bank, Clingen-

dael Institute, University of Ghana, University of Nairobi, DCMO - Migrant Consortium, PSO, OxfamNovib ,

Kenya Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Center and UNWOMEN. The objectives include:

The centre will provide the following facilities:

1. Equipment – communication, audio and print

2. Finance – literacy, information and advise

3. Capacity building - training

4. Policy Advocacy – lobbying, strategic alliance building, negotiations with governments and banks

5. Linkages with multi-stakeholders – facilitating platforms and forums for exchange

6. ICT support Desk – call in, reference point, meeting place

7. Resource Centre for diaspora and on diaspora activities across the African region and in the

western countries.


Expected Results of DBC

1. The creation of a one-stop shop for diaspora.

2. This is expected to create jobs in the kiosks and

attract attention for products in demand in different

areas leading to stable entrepreneurs, and expansion

of businesses.

3. Products offered at the DBC for Diaspora and devel

opment organizations include: local loan facilities,

bill payment vouchers e.g. healthcare vouchers,

school fees payment schemes supermarket vouchers,

airtime vouchers.

4. Supported centres are expected to be self-supporting within a short period of time hence there will be

continuity and sustainability.

5. As banking industry still remains accessible mainly to the middle class community and above, we would

like to trigger the relationship between banks and mobile operators especially to ensure that the remit-

tance recipients can have access to banking facilities that can generate interest on their savings as opposed

to saving the products received on mobile codes.

Nii Ocquaye Hammond, chairperson of Sankofa, made a presentation on SANKOFA projects. SANKOFA is

a multi-purpose foundation for social development through:

1. The creation of awareness

2. Fraternity promotion and cultural interaction;

3. Poverty alleviation programmes

In achieving its multi-purpose, Sankofa is guided by the following intents; Identification of specialists and ex-

perts groups, Cooperation with local governments and NGOs and Networking. The activities engaged in by

Sankofa include Arts and culture e.g. The Hague African Festival, and Anansi Masters. Sankofa has also col-

laborated with school TV to produce a film on slavery and a number of documentaries e.g. “Aburokyire” Be-

yond the Maize Fields. This documentary highlights the impact of migration on families in the palce of origin,

local communities and national economy, social cultural development and the experience of the migrant. He

indicated that further information of the documentary could be found at www.sankofa.nl/SankofaMedia/

SankofaTV/tabid/282/language/nl-NL/Default.aspx.

Mr Hammond also intimated that, Sankofa were involved in other programmes that had a focus on poverty alle-

viation programmes. He mentioned the Sankofa Family Poultry 2006-2010 sponsored by Oxfam Novib which

had a total of 450 women beneficiaries in Ga-Dangme West District. These projects were replicated in 2008-

2010 with funding from the EU-UNDP in the Ga-Dangbe West District and Tamale Municipal Assembly with

a total of 350 people benefiting from this project. He also noted that, in addition to these projects, SANKOFA

has a joint Migration and Development Initiative with AFDOM and GAPNET. In 2009, AFDOM and GAP-

NET introduced small-scale microfinance in its areas of operation as a build up strategy towards reducing pov-

erty which eventually reduces irregular migration. This was in response to the request and feedbacks from the

beneficiaries. Overall objectives of the JMDI are:

1. To up-scale and replicate innovative, practical and sustainable concepts for smallholder poultry breeding

and microfinance scheme, enabling 300 households in rural communities (70-90% women) to take con-

trol over their own lives.

2. To enable African migrant communities in Europe to raise their voice in core issues influencing develop-

ment in their home countries (gender neutral)

3. To enable African migrants transfer their experience and knowledge to local communities in their home

country (mainly women to women) and make them capable of sustaining this role.


Question: What are the thoughts of the Diaspora Associations on profit, are the associations only there to con-

tribute- the focus of almost all the projects? In many ways making profit is not the issue because it is an invest-

ment. However, the concern is with who takes what and who has the greater influence?

Response: In this case, the politics behind it has both negative and positive influence. For instances, the African

Americans who come to Elmina with the intention to help develop the place do have larger amount of influence

in redesigning the community.

Question: Are your organisations having their own structures of monitoring and responding to the needs of the

Diaspora?

Response: We gave out seed monies, purchased local raw materials and technology for the production.

Community leaders were consulted for approval and participation before taking off.


Mr. Charles Vanderpuye, chairperson of the Representative of the Council of Ghanaian Organizations in

the Netherlands (RECOGIN) spoke about the organization, its objectives and target groups, plan of action and

main activities. This is an initiative of the Netherlands Embassy in Ghana and the Ghana Embassy in the Neth-

erlands. Its activities include mobilization, empowerment, capacity building and information sharing. RECOG-

NIN also helps school dropouts and the vulnerable; hold job fairs; and promote the role of the Diaspora in the

development of Ghana. In recent years, it has embarked on several initiatives on migration and development

policies affecting Ghanaians and Ghana. The council’s plans for Ghana are:

1. Use RECOGIN associations to establish regional platforms to be piloted in three regions;

2. Use the associations to discuss, plan and implement some small-scale projects in their regional communi-

ties in Ghana;

3. Promoting investments and business development for Ghanaians and their Dutch counterparts;

4. Supporting sustainable return to Ghana for those who wish to do so through the Netherlands Migration

Institute (NMI) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) – RECOGIN is in the process

of initiating circular migration and all its related fields; and,

5. Setting up the Ghanaian Diaspora Solidarity Fund for Development through the mechanism of remit-

tances.

In Ghana, its on-going activities are focused on partnership formation with Diaspora groups linked to their

respective regions/districts and the setting up of fund-raising mechanisms. RECOGIN has development initia-

tives with ADRA and CEDECOM. Activities in Ghana by RECOGIN, ADRA and CEDECOM:

1. Land acquisition (lands donated by Diaspora individuals) in Ghana;

2. Mobilization of unemployed semi-skilled youth;

3. Training and information programs for selected groups;

4. Formation of cooperatives; registration of cooperatives;

5. Technical training for specific groups;

6. Seed money and other inputs to start production;

7. Supply of equipments and other inputs needed; and.

8. Mid-term training in product management and marketing.

Mr. Vanderpuye stressed the importance of partnership noting that RECOGIN partners included the Ministry of

Foreign Affairs via development cooperation; Dutch donor organizations (Cordaid, Oxfam Novib, ICCO, etc.);

private businesses, especially from the agricultural sector; and other NGOs (which provide insights on best

practices).


Question: Does RECOGIN have any social responsibilities?

Response: RECOGIN is always searching for opportunities to bring migrants together for development. It also

supports migrants in times of needs.

SESSION 4:

Sharing of examples of projects: Presentation of projects from Ghana Chair: Dr. Marla Asis

Mr. Anthony Kemavor, Head Money Transfer & Remittances, ADB made a pres-

entation on the Role of Western Union in Remittances and Development in

Ghana: Agricultural Development Bank Perspective. He said the Western Union

in Ghana, as in the other 200 other countries, operates through their Representatives/

Agents. Implicitly, Western Union does not have a registered office in Ghana. Repre-

sentatives so appointed by W/Union may sign on sub-representatives to expand its

representative network in Ghana.

ADB was signed on as agent in April 1994 making it the first Western Union Representative in Ghana and Af-

rica, South of the Sahara. Any representatives or sub-agent in Ghana must necessarily be financial institutions

with accredited regulatory bodies. He stated that there are 18 agent partners in Ghana and Ghana receives FX

flows from about 187 countries worldwide each year, with about half of total flows originating from the USA.

The total flow of remittances from the top-10 corridors amount to about 78% of total remittances each year,

with the major sending countries being the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, Italy, France, Sweden,


Switzerland and Gabon. Mr. Kemavor indicated that nearly half of all transfers are sent on a monthly basis,

64% send money back to parents, 48% to their spouse, and 45% to other relatives. He emphasised the direct

contributions of Western Union (WU) to development in Ghana in the different sectors, such as:

1. Health: Supply of thousands of treated mosquito nets to needy first cycle schools in a number of regions

in the country.

2. Education: WU provides stationery to transfer beneficiaries at the beginning of the academic year as

Back to School promotions. At other times W/Union provides school desks to needy schools across the

country.

He also noted that Western Union Foundation constructed a centre for the rehabilitation of street girls and for

the aged and HIV patients in Sepase near Kumasi and Team near Accra respectively. The order corporate social

responsibilities include:

1. Direct Beneficiaries (Poverty alleviation and enhanced purchasing power; opportunity to undertake

small income generating venture thereby enhancing GNP; opportunities to invest in deposit products

and securities.

2. Benefits to the communities through diaspora Home Town Association (Capacity to develop economic

climate in the community, capacity to develop infrastructure such as the building of community centres,

rehabilitation /building of schools, construction of health centres, financing of traditional festivals, etc.)

3. Benefits to Service Providers/Financial Institutions (huge source of FX for trade finance support,

generate decent margins from foreign currency exchange, potential to attract large local currency

deposits for investment into assets, reliable source of direct fee income to financial institutions with

negligible cost) ;

4. Benefits to the Nation (Strong financial institutions provide a strong sub structure for a strong economy;

individuals alleviated from poverty through remittances places less stress on National security; large FX

pooled by the remittance industry strengthens the BOP position of the national economy thereby stabilis-

ing the value of the local currency, i.e., the Cedi).

Mr. Kemavor concluded by noting that “growth in remittances worldwide is positive and sometimes exponen-

tial and all stakeholders seem to be benefiting from migration and ultimately remittances.” However, he also

posed the question: “ARE THE GROWING TRENDS SUSTAINABLE?”

Comments/Contribution Comment: Has Western Union recognised that the coming of other service providers have reduced its market in

Italy? Italy for the past five years has not enjoyed Western Union promotions but which are available in UK

and US.

Question: What are the intentions of WU towards Ghanaian migrants in terms of investing in Ghana?

Response: The organisation is developing a system whereby migrants can transfer money online. Other

opportunities to support the diaspora are in the pipeline.

Question: Do you take account of other informal remittances?

Response: In actual fact, flows which are not for the payment of goods and services, are not classified as

remittances. Besides, our organisation does not keep track of other remittances which the Central Bank does.

Mr. Aminu Munkaila, the director of African Development Organisation

for Migration (AFDOM) spoke on the interventions of AFDOM towards Re-

ducing Poverty and Irregular Migration: Evidence from the Tamale Metropoli-

tan Area. The main objective of AFDOM is to stem the tide of young men and

women from Ghana, especially the Northern Regions, from embarking on a

dangerous and dehumanizing migration to Europe or other urban centres in

search of greener pastures and improving the lives of the youth. The specific

objectives of AFDOM are:

1. Contributing to the reduction of trans-Saharan-migration of Africans,

taking into consideration that migrants might be afflicted by numerous

violations of human rights

2. Initiating an intensive reflection which might lead Africans to give up

their plans to migrate to Europe through illegal routes ,

3. Providing young people with information on legal options of migration

4. Helping returned migrants share their stories, and provide them with counselling services to promote

their re-integration,

5. Promoting youth employment and improvement of food security through the provision of training and

post training support in agricultural practices to the youth in Northern Ghana.


He said that AFDOM’s educational campaign against irregular migration is pursued under three main strate-

gies: education and sensitization of the youth on migration risks; counselling, linked to career development and

entrepreneurial skills training of some youth; and strategic partnerships and collaboration with other relevant

actors. The means of pursuing the strategies include: organization of radio and television discussions on migra-

tion, street floats, community drama, video or film shows on the dangers of irregular migration, workshops,

establishment of Anti-Illegal Route to Europe Clubs (AIRECs) in some senior high schools and communities.

AFDOM operates in eight districts within the Northern Region and the Dangbe West District of Ghana,

namely; Tamale Metropolitan, Tolon-Kumbungo, Savelugu-Nanton, Zabzugu-Tatale, Yendi, Salaga, East and

West Mamprusi Districts, And the Dangbe West District of Greater Accra. The entire project is funded by the

European Union through the EC-UN Joint Migration and Development Initiative (JMDI). The main partners of

the project are: UNDP, ILO, UNHCR, IOM and UNFPA, with the UNDP coordinating it.

Mr. Kwaku Owusu Adade, coordinator of Diaspora in Agriculture and

Food Production, a subsidiary of RECOGIN, made a presentation on

OWADEK ENTERPRISE. OWADEK Enterprise is an initiative of the Gha-

naian diaspora in The Netherlands and surrounding countries. Their aim is to

establish a cooperative to support food production and animal husbandry in

Ghana. Owadek Enterprise has been in existence since 2010. Mr. Adade

stressed that all of their members have land across various parts of the

Ashanti Region (between 15-100 hectares). He indicated that they are dedi-

cated to developing the rural areas for green and sustainable food production

of all kinds.

As an enterprise, it is still calling for partnership with interested Dutch companies in the Netherlands to col-

laborate with Ghanaians in:

1. Exporting Dutch agricultural products to Ghana through specific arranged terms

2. To import Ghanaian products to the Dutch and European markets

3. To cooperate in operating farms through subsidies and investment capital

4. To export Dutch agricultural products to Ghana and to transfer agricultural engineering in areas of water

resource.

Ruby Saakor Tetteh presented AFRO EURO’s project on Food Security

and Sustainable Development. Afro Euro is a non-governmental organisa-

tion based in The Hague-Netherlands and established in 2003. It operates in

The Netherlands and Ghana with a focus on migration and development. In

keeping with its motto of “building bridges,” Afro Euro’s mission is to create

a forum for inter-cultural exchange between peoples of African origin and

their host nations in Europe.The objectives of the organisation are:

1. Creating a platform for dialogue and mutual understanding between

African migrant communities and other nationals within Europe

2. Building capacity of migrants through mobilisation and sensitization programmes to bridge existing gap

between the North and the South

3. Creating business opportunities for African migrants to help their integration in their home countries and

the Diaspora.

She intimated that AFRO- EURO embarked on a food security and sustainable development project aimed at:

1. Improving the livelihood of poor farmers in Ghana through investment by Ghanaian migrants by means

of organised remittances in agricultural ventures;

2. Supporting small holder maize and soya-bean farmers to increase their production by equipping them

with new skills, appropriate technology and financial support; and

3. Introducing farmers to modern means of commercialization of their products.

The project promotes the following:

1. Closer links between migrants and their home countries through their investment that benefits their own

people at the grassroots level,

2. Linking migrants’ contributions to support agricultural and skills training for women and youth to im-

prove their living standard,

3. Increasing the economic empowerment of women by enhancing their access to land and credit, and

4. Empowerments of local farmers to enable to support their families.


The programmes are subject to quarterly review by Afro-Euro, together with its partners which include the

African Development Organization for Migration, Sinapi Aba Trust, Oxfam Novib, Sefa and Jane, Abban

Company Limited, Premium Foods Limited, USAID Advance, local chiefs and farmers in Buoko, and Ghana-

ian migrants in the Netherlands. The project was started in December 2010 and implemented in Buoko in the

Brong Ahafo Region due to the high poverty and unemployment levels in the area. Maize and soya were the

crops cultivated. She indicated that 100 bags of maize were produced - farmers were given some for consump-

tion and the rest sold to Premium Foods Limited for processing into cereals. She mentioned that the implemen-

tation of this project was not without challenges, noting that 15 of the 20 farmers remained on the project. First,

there were delays in land preparation due to inadequate labour and expertise at the local level and as such the

delay in planting led to delays in harvesting. Second, the project faced lack of drying and storage facilities and

inadequate financial resources, i.e., lack of adequate capital to farm for two seasons.

The BOKEMEI Project was presented by Charles Vanderpuye. The

Bokemei Foundation was established in 2002 with the goal to support

orphans and the poor by by raising funds and resources to the responsi-

ble NGO in Ghana. The focus of the foundation is education (JHS),

training and employment. The foundation seeks to build a knowledge

center and to establish cooperation with Mikebo Ventures and the Uni-

versity of Ghana, Legon. Mi-ke-bo Ventures Ghana is a private business

that helps NGOs provide training and employment to the youth and

mothers with little children, amongst others. Since its inception, sixteen

(16) orphans in the Accra in Greater Accra and Kasoa in the Central regions have benefited from alimentation,

payment of fees, uniforms, books and medical care.

BOKEMEI is funded through small capital, social network (family, friends, neighbours, organization and by

local authorities and customs, University of Ghana, media, ministries, Ghanaian and fundraising organizations

abroad and at home), and investment in capital, land, and equipments.

Grace Adadzewa Owoo made a presentation on the Tomefa

Development Project under SIFE (Students n Free Enterprise).

SIFE is an organisation which engages tertiary-level students

develop community outreach projects that use business and

economic concepts to improve the quality of life and the stan-

dards of living of people in the community. Its objectives

include:

1. To help others overcome poverty, enhance growth with care

for the environment and to create economic opportunities for

a sustainable development of their communities;

2. To be the voice of the voiceless; and

3. To fight for true justice and respect for human dignity.

Miss Owoo said the sustainability of the team and project is assured because of the organisation’s strong part-

nership with the Government of Ghana under the auspices of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Ministry of

Tourism, STAND and the University College of Management Studies. Furthermore, the involvement of young

students and the community contributes to sustainability since the organisation believes in teaching a man how

to fish rather than giving him a fish.


The work of the Central Region Development Commission (CEDECOM)

was presented by Mr. Spencer Taylor. The commission was set up in

1990 as a Regional Development Agency of the Central Region and the

technical wing of the Central Region Co-ordinating Council, with technical

support from UNDP. CEDECOM’s mission statement is to promote the sus-

tainable development of the Central Region through partnership with the

private sector and development partners of agriculture, natural resource and

rural development, investment promotion and enterprise development, inte-

grated tourism development, and ICT development working with the

MMDAs. The commission envision itself as a leading sustainable regional

development organisation, partnering the private sector or and development

partnership to improve the lives of the people of the Central Region.

Core Objective: CEDECOM aims to enhance the socio-economic wellbeing of the people of the Central

Region by creating an enabling environment for sustainable development.

Strategic Objectives:

1. To stimulate high economic growth in the Central Region through facilitation of farmers’ capacity devel-

opment and supporting agriculture, natural resource management and rural development

2. To build entrepreneurship and attractive investment for job creation and poverty reduction

3. To promote the integrated development of tourism in the Central Region through capacity building and

facility development in partnership with the privates sector and development partners

4. To promote the development of ICT in the Central Region, package and disseminate information to the

public

5. To strengthen the human resource and institutional management capacity of CEDECOM staff through

career and manpower development

The activities of the commission include investment promotion, tourism development, enterprise development,

agriculture and natural resource development, communication and information management.

Mr. Taylor encouraged the diaspora to invest with CEDECOM because of its strategic location in the Central

Region. The Central Region is located on the coast immediately to the West of Accra, the capital of Ghana. The

regional capital is Cape Coast, 160 km from Accra, 80 km from Takoradi in the Western Region, and about 21

km from Kumasi in the Ashanti Region. The region occupies a total land area of 9,826 sq km with a population

of 1.6 million as per the 2000 Population and Housing Census.

The region has adequate social and economic infrastructure (road network, post and telecommunication, power

supply-connected to the national grid, health facilities, water supply and educational institutions) to enhance

investment.

He gave a rundown of some on-going projects in the region. These include: Fish Storage Facility at Anomabo,

ICT Centre at Asikuma, Markets at Biriwa and Mankessim, Royal Museum at Agona Swedru, Sport Stadium at

Agona Swedru, Development of Dompow Bosom Aye Forest Reserve, and High way rest stop (Old site) at

Essuelhyia. He concluded his presentation with a documentary on these projects and development opportuni-

ties there in the Central Region.

Investors could also explore incentive packages:

Corporate Tax

• 28% -All companies

• 8% -Income from Non-traditional Exports

• 22% -Hotels

Financial institutions

• 20% -Income from loan for farming

• 20% -Income from loan for leasing company

Tax Holiday (from start of operation)

• Rural Estate-5yrs

• Rural Bank-10yrs

• Agro-processing -5yrs

• Agriculture

– Cattle ranching-10yrs

– Tree cropping (e.g., oil palm, rubber and

coconut)-10yrs

– Fish farming, poultry and cash crops-5yrs


The report on the projects of the Adventist Development and

Relief Agency (ADRA) was prepared by Dr. William Brown and

Ms. Victoria Daaku and presented by Dr. Brown. ADRA is a

global humanitarian organisation of the Seventh-day Adventist

Church that demonstrates God’s love and compassion. It mission is

to work with people in poverty and distress to create just and posi-

tive change through empowering partnership and responsible action.

ADRA’s vision is to reach across boundaries and empower and

speak out for the at-risk and forgotten to achieve measurable, docu-

mented and durable changes in lives and society. It has a network of

120 country offices, and it operates in all 10 regions of Ghana since

1983. It was previously known as Seventh-day Adventist Welfare Services (SAWS), which provided social

services in times of drought, bushfires and famine. It also offered services to Ghanaians who were deported

deported from Nigeria i983. In 1985, it became ADRA-Ghana (Relief Development Continuum). Its core

portfolio include:

1. Food Security – Agriculture and Natural Resource Management, Nutrition, Water and Sanitation

2. Health – Malaria, HIV & AIDS, etc.

3. Education and Economic Empowerment – Micro Finance and Relief-Disaster Response

ADRA invests in tree crops because they have a long term security, thrive in spite of climatic changes and can

produce for about 40 years. ADRA’s long term goal in migration and development opportunities is to invest in

tree crops production (citrus, mango, cashew, and soya beans), value-added /processing, value chain and animal

husbandry, honey production. However, it has achieved some linkages for 315 FBOs (15,750 farmers) who

sold 90,000 metric tons of various produce valued at over GH¢ 30million. He also mentioned that, ADRA has

recorded its highest results to date ehich is the sale of 150,334 metric tonnes of various produce. He said,

ADRA has won a contract to supply maize to the World Food Programme with 16 FBOs in Ejura Sekyedumase

(ADRA supplies 5,000 hundred kilo bags of maize). The organisation has also been a recipient of the Millen-

nium Excellence Award and best international development partner.

Dr. Brown outlined the organization partners which include: the University of Ghana, Agricultural Research

Institute, SARI, MOFA, CSIR, WFP, EC and RECOGIN in the horizon (ADRA will put in place a desk officer

for RECOGIN and will cooperate under a B.O.T concept). ADRA offers the opportunity for return migrants to

engage in farming, growing fruit trees, processing and export market. These opportunities are not without chal-

lenges, some of which are land tenure and irrigation. In conclusion, he listed the capacities and strengths of

ADRA in diverse areas: community sensitization and mobilization; food Security - integrated approach – agri-

culture and nutrition; more than two and a half decades of experience; qualified and committed staff; experi-

ence in providing technical assistance to public institutions, boards and committees – RTIMP, CSIR, Horticul-

ture Association of Ghana; Technical committee on Nutrition (MOH/GHS); experience in value chain – com-

mercialization of farmers - MCC; sustainability; worked in the Northern Sector of Ghana for so many years;

impact on the farmers – e.g. soybeans – processors; and recognized as a respectable NGO (ADRA’s name is

almost synonymous with mango, cashew and soybeans).

Rev. Frank Peprah Twumasi, Scholars in Transit (SiT), introduced the

NGO as an organisation which started in 2005 to work on social issues and

subsequently registered as an NGO in June 2007. The objectives of Scholars

in Transit are:

1. Discouraging irregular migration and promoting regular migration

2. Conducting researchon social issues of concern

3. Assisting returnees to form migrants’ associations and co-operatives

to solicit support for economic ventures to ensure re-integration

4. Offering free consultation services to migrants, would-be migrants and

the general public

5. Collaborating with organizations, institutions, departments and agencies with similar objectives for the

achievement of effective results.

Their collaborators include: The British High Commission, Centre for Migration Studies, University of Ghana,

International Organization for Migration (IOM), Ghana Immigration Service, Ministry of Employment and

Social Welfare, Network of Migration Researchers in Africa (NOMRA), The Netherlands Embassy, the


Spanish Embassy, and they also work with metropolitan, municipal and district-level, assemblies, religious

bodies and institutions.

SiT has formed two return migrants’ associations, namely, Sweet Home Campaigners (actual and potential Mi-

grants) and Nkoranza Libya Returnees’ Association (returnees from Libya). He explained that most of the re-

turnees have skills in the construction industry, mainly; masonry, carpentry, painting, steel bending, etc. In

collaboration with the Nkoranza South District Assembly. SiT engaged the returnees in construction works on a

contract basis, of which 10% of proceeds realized were used to finance the association’s farm projects. Accord-

ing to Rev. Peprah, the NGO intends to register as a construction company to bid for major developmental pro-

jects. Members will be made to form co-operatives that will undertake individual projects other than the asso-

ciation’s block farm project. He further indicated that SiT also intends to start a farm project to be led by a

member of Sweet Home Campaigners, Mr. Stephen Kwadwo Adjei, the Brong Ahafo Regional Best Farmer,

2011. He hoped SiT would establish a long lasting relationship with TRANSCODE in subsequent projects.

The Reintegration Program for Returning

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWS) was

presented by Ma. Luisa S. Reyes, a direc-

tor of the National Re-integration Center for OFWs (NRCO). NRCO was established

in 2007 with the issuance of Department

order 79-07 to implement programs and services that will facilitate the productive and sustainable personal,

economic and community reintegration of OFWs and their families to the Philippine society. It was further in-

stitutionalized in 2010 with the enactment of R.A. 10022 and the promulgation of its Implementing Rules and

Regulations. This enabled it to:

1. provide mechanisms for the reintegration of Filipino returning migrant workers into Philippine society;

2. serve as a promotion house for their local employment;

3. tap into the skills and potentials of migrants for national development; and

4. serve as a one-stop centre to address multi-faceted needs of OFW returnees and their families in coordi-

nation with government and non-government agencies

She mentioned that the rational for a national reintegration program is premised on the following:

1. overseas employment is temporary

2. maximize the gains of overseas employment

3. mitigate the social costs of migration

4. cushion the impact of forced repatriation due to unexpected events

She stated that the beneficiaries of the National Reintegration Program include:

OFW Returnees – those who have returned to the Philippines permanently or for good

1. Returning OFWs – those returning to the Philippines because of finished contract but with the intention

of working again overseas; or those returning for vacation purposes

2. Repatriated distressed OFWs – those who returned to the Philippines because of employment and health-

related problems; and victims of illegal recruitment, human trafficking, abuse and exploitation, and

armed conflict

3. Families of OFW Returnees, Returning OFWs and Distressed OFW Returnees

4. She also presented the full-cycle reintegration program: Pre-departure, On-site, Upon return. The three

pillars of the reintegration program are: personal reintegration, economic reintegration and community

reintegration. Some of the components of the reintegration program are: Counselling (legal, business and

psycho-social), Training and Capability-building, Wage Employment Facilitation, Entrepreneurial/

Enterprise Development Assistance. Among the reintegration programmes are Balik Pinay! Balik Hanap-

buhay! Livelihood Assistance, and the Php2-billion OFW Reintegration Program.

Challenges: The programme is not without challenges. She said it is difficult to translate the gains of skilled

migration into productive investments in the country and harness their capital, skills and knowledge to produc-

tive activities. Other issues are: convergence of programs and services of the government as well as the private

sector, the links between national government agencies and cities and provincial levels, timeliness and sustain-

ability of programs and services.


SMALL GROUP SESSIONS

Following these presentations, participants were divided into working groups to discuss the various projects

from the different countries on the basis of the TRANSCODE criteria. Dr. Fabio Baggio led participants

through the four main criteria for evaluating the projects.

WHAT: Expected development impact

• Holistic

• Sustainable

• Environmentally friendly

• Inclusive

• Incultured

• Locally Grounded

• Gender sensitive

• Responsibility

WHO: Multi-stakeholder approach

• Institutions (local and national in sending and receiving countries)

• Migrants (individuals, groups, associations)

• Local communities (sending and receiving countries)

• NGOs and other civil society groups in sending and receiving countries

• Academia

• Private sector

• Foundations

• Mass Media

HOW: Transnational engagement

• North-South

• South-North

• South-South

• North-North

• North-North-South-South

WHERE: Bi-directionality:

• Geographical impact: positive effects on the development of sending and receiving countries:

• “Development” of actors engaged in the action

• Development impact of societies

• Concrete example: Twinning Cities

Dr. Baggio noted that, ‘Nobody is so poor that she/he has nothing to give and nobody is so rich that she/he has

nothing to receive.’

Following the explanation of the criteria, participants separated into groups. Participants convened for a con-

tinuation of the project presentations from Ghana, Italy, Philippines and the Netherlands and later concluded

the day with the group reports (find next page in Table 1: Discussion on these projects on the basis of

TRANSCODE criteria).


GROUP GREEN

WHAT:

(Expected Out

Come)

WHO:

(Multi-

stakeholder ap-

proach)

HOW:

(Transnational

engagement)

WHERE:

(Bi-

directionality

Other

Matters

AFRO EURO

PROJECT

Achieving higher

income levels

Improved social

security for local

farmers through

new farming tech-

nologies and entry

into the commer-

cial sector

Local farmers

Ghanaian Dutch

migrants to invest

in agriculture

North –south Dividends to

financial con-

tributors

Help food secu-

rity in rural areas

Give training to

farmers

Challenges:

Need a defined

structure

SCHOLARS

IN TRANSIT

PROJECT

Engage in profit-

able business

Returnees starting

their own busi-

nesses

IOM

British High Com-

mission

Credit facility

Migrant investors

Other actors:

Returnee

NGO (SiT)

Private sector

North-South but

needs to be re-

evaluated to en-

sure its continuity

Returnee profit-

ing from input

SiT taking this

up as one of its

projects

SANKOFA

PROJECT

Support women

poultry farmers in

the Dangme West

District in Ghana

Giving birds and

micro credit

scheme

Oxfam Novib

Traditional Chiefs

North- South Rural Develop-

ment for the lo-

cal people

SAVE AND

INVEST

Trained Trainers

in Italy to go to

families in Philip-

pines to teach

them income gen-

erating activities

instead of sending

remittances

Families in Italy

and Philippines

North- South Skills to migrant

families

Income to mi-

grant families

Migrants reduce

the sending of

remittances

Rural develop-

ment

TABLE 1: DISCUSSION ON PROJECTS USING TRANSCODE CRITERIA


GROUP RED

DCMO/

DIASPORA

BUSINESS

CENTRE

Yet in the research

phase: suppose to be

in three countries

Ministry of tourism to

develop strategies and

link to encourage mi-

grants invest in their

home countries

Innovation:

A place where people

work together to

make impact

Individual Mi-

grants

NEDSOM

SANKOFA

North-South

South-South

A multi-

stakeholder

approach

Private sector

international

development

Way forward:

Providing a data

base to return

migrants so that

they will be able

to lead them into

the industry in

which they want

to

Replicability

Doing well in the

three regions

SIFE Providing basic needs

to the rural commu-

nity of Tomefa

5year educational

plan

Visit the community

three times a week

Students of SIFE

Rural enterprises

Sponsored by

STAND

(STICHING AF-

RICA)

North-South Project own-

ership by the

community

Tourist centre

for the coun-

try

Way Forward:

Partnership with

University of De-

velopment Studies

and Kwame

Nkrumah Univer-

sity of Science

and Technology

GROUP BLUE

COGNAI

Cash crop production

of guinea corn in the

Upper East region

Diaspora associa-

tion

Ministry of

Agriculture

Farmer groups

North –South

For the

development

of Ghana

FOOD SECU-

RITY BY REC-

OGIN

Regional sectors for

the production of

maize and animal

production

ADRA

CEDECOM

when matured

will be handed

over to REC-

OGIN

Adopt a rice

processing

technology

from the Philip-

pines

Employment

to the youth

Food to the

country

BOKEME Provide education in

the rural areas

Micro-finance with

little interest

Help orphans in Te-

shie Nungua and

Accra

Collaborate with

Ministry of Edu-

cation for educa-

tional programs

Chiefs of com-

munities

North- South

AFDOM Educational cam-

paigns on irregular

migration

Creation of employ-

ment opportunities

for the youth in the

Northern region

Private individu-

als

International

bodies

North-South


GROUP ORANGE

ADRA

Offer fertilizers,

seeds, land prepara-

tion and causal labour

for farm activities of

most vulnerable com-

munities

ADRA’s operational

strategy is to build,

operate and transfer

Help migrants right

from inception until

they become experts

to duplicate what was

learnt

RECOGIN

Challenges:

problems with land

tenure

Way forward:

Looking forward to

collaborate with the

Diaspora

Setting up a help

desk to advice

migrants on good

agricultural

investments

WOMEN

FOR

PEACE

AND

DEVELOP-

MENT

Empowering women

in Burundi

Enhancing the dig-

nity of women in

Burundi and Philip-

pine

Local admin-

istrative

structures ;

Cordaid

DAWN

South-

South

North-

South

Burundi women to

learn from the ex-

periences of Phil-

ippine women

Philippine women

to build their con-

fidence

DAWN Provide alternative

livelihood for women

who have returned

from Japan to Philip-

pines and empower

economically Bu-

rundi women

Assist needy children

in education

Private sec-

tors

Governments

(Philippine,

Burundi and

Japan)

North-

South

South –

South

Philippine and

Burundi women

are empowered

emotionally and

economically

Children are edu-

cated

Future Plans :

expand livelihood

opportunities such

as organic soap-

making for The

Netherlands market

WHAT:

(Expected Out

Come)

WHO:

(Multi-

stakeholder

approach)

HOW:

(Transnati

onal en-

gagement)

WHERE:

(Bi-directionality

Other

Matters


EVENING PROGRAMME:

Participants met to watch a documentary titled ‘Aburokyire’ (Behind the Maize), one of the projects of

SANKOFA. The documentary highlights the experiences of Ghanaian migrants abroad and the perspectives of

some resource persons on Ghanaian migration.

PROCEEDINGS OF DAY THREE - WEDNESDAY, 23RD JANUARY

Identifying new Spin-off Projects and Projects Visit Chair: Dr. Ton van Naerssen

Prof. Awumbila once again welcomed participants and outlined the program schedule for the day which in-

cluded a 2hr room workshop followed with field trips to CEDECOM handicraft industry, ADRA woodlot pro-

ject and the Elmina-Gouda Project. The Chairperson for the session, Dr. Ton van Naerssen recapped the previ-

ous day’s activities and provided a brief on the spin-off projects. He mentioned that the aim of the morning’s

working group session (going by the same grouping arrangement for the previous day) was to develop new pro-

jects learning from the experiences of the Netherlands, Italy, Ghana and the Philippines.

PROJECTS VISIT

After lunch, participants took off to the following project sites: ADRA woodlot project, the drainage project by

the Elmina-Gouda City Twinning and CEDECOM handicraft industry. The aim of the field trip was for partici-

pants to witness the trend of activities taking place in Ghana and perhaps think of opportunities for future col-

laboration.

Woodlot project— The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA)

Drainage project by the Elmina-Gouda City Twinning

CEDECOM handicraft industry


PROCEEDINGS OF DAY FOUR - THURSDAY 26TH JANUARY

Chair: Dr. Ton van Naerssen

The fourth day began with a recap of the previous day’s activities for the morning session by Dr. Ton van

Naerssen. The chairperson recapped by asking the question, as to whether migrants should be involved in in-

vestment projects? Under what conditions will migrants consider projects worth investing? What drives mi-

grants to invest in these projects? Is it ethnic, local and/or national affiliation? Are they religiously motivated?

To this the chair was of the view that there were certainly some areas migrants may contribute to such as

schools their children attend at origin countries, churches and community development. This consideration ac-

cording to the chairperson forms some of the strong basis for the TRANSCODE project. This is in the sense

that TRANSCODE wants to consider other linkages South-South, North-South and so on not for financial re-

sources sharing alone but to be a platform for sharing the ideology of TRANSCODE and become a platform for

its implementation. He therefore, took the opportunity to introduce the group to the day’s discussion which was

on ‘Reflection on the Ghana projects visited and Spin-off projects part II’.

Dr. van Naerssen, called on the working groups to present their findings using the four principles of

TRANSCODE: WHAT, WHO, WHERE and BI-DIRECTIONAL.

GROUP PRESENTATIONS: SPIN-OFF PROJECTS BEGIN

��GROUP BLUE:

Dr. Fabio Baggio presented the assignment for the workshop and asked the group to choose among the follow-

ing: a) to choose and develop “transcodely” one or more projects out of those presented yesterday; b) to merge

and develop “transcodely” two or more projects out of those presented yesterday; and c) develop a new

Transcode project proposal.

After a brief discussion, the blue group decided to merge and develop “transcodely” all the presented projects

adopted the following strategies: a) to consider all the stages of the migration experience (from the decision

making process to return/reintegration); b) to assure the project at least 5 year duration; c) to make migration

beneficial for all the actors involved.

Title

Transnational Partnership on Migration and Human Development

General Objective To make migration beneficial in terms of human development for all the actors involved through a transnational

partnership with a multi-stakeholder approach.

Strategic Objectives:

1. To fill the knowledge gaps on the main components of the action

2. To curb irregular migration

3. To contribute to food security and employment in local sending communities

4. To foster the dialogue between migrants and host countries’ institutions and organizations

5. To foster the dialogue between migrants and sending countries’ institutions and organizations

6. To encourage diaspora’s investment on human development in countries of origin

7. To improve bidirectional intercultural exchange and transnational belonging

8. To foster migrants’ active “citizenship” in host societies

9. To facilitate reintegration of returning migrants

Location Ghana, Philippines, Netherlands and Italy (North-North-South-South Cooperation)

Activities by objective

To fill the knowledge gaps on the main components of the action 1. Research on irregular migration beyond Brong Ahafo region in Ghana

2. Assessment of the sustainability of food security in Ghana and in the Philippines

3. Assessment and documentation of existing projects and programs referring to the main components of

the action

4. Research on remigration and reintegration in Ghana and the Philippines


5. . Practical application of the concept of active citizenship in NL and IT

6. Research on expectation and attitudes of Ghanaian and Filipino diasporas toward transnational

development projects

7. Research on social protection and welfare in the implementation of diasporas’ human development

projects in Ghana and the Philippines

To curb irregular migration • To organize and undertake educational campaigns on regular migration in collaboration with the diaspora

and relevant institutions and organization in Ghana and the Philippines, through media and other chan-

nels of dissemination

• To establish counselling desks in collaboration with institutions and organizations in local communities

and organize seminars on migration decision making (e.g. PEOS) in Ghana and the Philippines

To contribute to food security and employment in local sending communities • To create cooperative farms in Ghana and the Philippines

• To develop food processing and distribution of the products

• To develop agro-tourism centres

• To enhance diaspora investment in job generation activities

To foster the dialogue between migrants and host countries’ institutions and organizations • Organize platforms of dialogue among the stakeholders

• Direct lobbying activities organized by the diaspora

To foster the dialogue between migrants and sending countries’ institutions and organizations • Organize platforms of dialogue among the stakeholders

• Direct lobbying activities organized by the diaspora

To encourage diaspora’s investment on human development in countries of origin • Identify, package and publicize the investment’s possibilities for migrants

• Develop a Diaspora Development Bank (fund)

To improve bidirectional intercultural exchange and transnational belonging • To engage local institutions and diplomatic posts to support the celebration of national and cultural

events

• To foster the twinning cities for bidirectional transnational collaboration

• To promote transnational spaces of intercultural exchange particularly in the schools engaging the second

generations

• To promote organized trips to home countries for migrant children and families

To foster migrants’ active “citizenship” in host societies • To organize seminars and courses on active citizenship

• To encourage migrants’ leaning on duties and responsibilities

• To establish assistance desk with the collaboration of institutions and organization for documentation

processing

• To encourage the establishment of registered associations

• To build the capacities of existing migrants’ associations and organization for projects’ development and

implementation

To facilitate reintegration of returning migrants • To build reintegration villages within the local communities

• To set up help desks for social securities issues both in the receiving and the sending countries

• To lobby for bilateral agreements on reintegration issues

Comments/contribution Question: Who will be responsible for the reintegration villages?

Response: The reintegration villages will be established for returning migrants (both voluntary and deportees)

who will live there temporarily. It is meant to be a transit quarters. A clue can be taken from the Nkoranza rein-

tegration village where returnees have stayed there for many years.

The project needs to consider the involvement of expertise.

The project is too broad because it seeks to make migration beneficial to both sending and receiving countries.

Therefore, we can put the project in modules and ask for assistance for the different modules.


��GROUP RED

Three projects featured namely: the proposed Diaspora Business Center; the ongoing project on food produc-

tion supported by return migrants; and another ongoing development project on Tomefa Island – the fourth one,

Agricultural Development Bank, was not a project as such but more along the lines of bank services

Name of project: Transnational Initiatives for Sustainable Development in Ghana

Objectives:

• To harness the potentials of Ghanaian migrants to enhance development in Ghana

• To collaborate with local persons and actors in developing initiatives to promote development in Ghana

• To facilitate and strengthen the brain gain potentials of returning Ghanaian migrants

• To provide a forum for transnational knowledge and resource sharing among Ghanaian migrants, Ghana-

based actors and transnational partners

Time frame: 4 years

Main activities:

Year 1 Dialogues and workshops; research, capacity building. At the end of the year all this should culminate in the

establishment of a platform for cooperation and action

Years 2 and 3 Implementation of identified activities (e.g., DBC running; livelihood projects with migrants’ investments; live-

lihood projects for Tomefa Island, e.g., tourism

Year 4 Assessment and future planning

Funding: there is no specific budget for the lead organization in running the group’s key activities; however

there is going to be a separate budget proposal for the implementation of specific projects


The project misses certain key elements of the TRANSCODE criteria such as migration, diaspora, human de-

velopment and multi-stakeholders which need to be addressed.

It is an expansion of an existing project on livelihood that is focusing on agric for now, but hopes to involve

other actors as the ideas develops. Also, though “migration” does not appear in the topic, the activities reveal

the important role of the diaspora and other multi-stakeholders (example the ministry of tourism and agricul-

ture). The project in its expanded form will include different countries and not only Ghana (but some North –

South collaboration). Even though the human development aspect is not clearly stated, the project aims at pro-

viding a platform for diaspora to return; provide information on how they can return; link the diaspora with lo-

cal actors.

��GROUP ORANGE

A review of projects in Philippines and Burundi, and Diaspora and modalities for New Projects Both projects have the objectives of supporting women earn better livelihoods and get integrated into their soci-

ety through counselling services, skills training, and employment avenues to ensure their sustainability

In the soap-making project by Philippines, the value chain is explored so that not only is production under-

taken, but also ensure that there is demand for the products (at the local level. The Netherlands is being ex-

plored as a possible market avenue for the products) in the hope of making projects sustainable.

The Burundi Project on women, peace and security is expected to target 7 municipalities through some selected

local contacts.

The proposal will move to implementation after budgets have been done and discussed with relevant funding

agencies. Then some visits by the project coordinator and seven municipal focal persons/points will be made to

the Philippines for two weeks to learn the experience and best practice of the Philippines project (DAWN). The

training will also include some financial aspects focusing on recording and reporting (financial literacy pro-

gramme by the Philippine NGO ATIKHA) .


What are the Development Impact of these Projects?

It is currently local but a wider regional market for the products is being explored.

The proposed Transcode project anticipated in Burundi in cooperation with The, Philippines (DAWN and

ATIKHA) focuses on traumatised women and next to contributing to the socio-psycho and economic empower-

ment of the target group is culturally relevant.

It is gender sensitive as in this case it is addressed towards women who are the most vulnerable.

It will also have the development impact as community involvement is very key in the project proposal.

Who is doing it (the project)? A variety of stakeholders are anticipated ranging from local groups, through national to international groups.

The target groups are the local community women from seven (7) municipalities. The local community (local

council) is involved even in the project conception and will be part in the various consultations up to project

implementation. The media, state institutions at local level, traditional and opinion leaders, women’s groups,

etc. are examples of these stakeholders.

NEW PROJECT (Criteria for effectiveness and sustainability) The team anticipated a 3 years’ time frame will be good to do an evaluation of the project and think of ways

forward in terms of the possibility for expansion and diversification. The Burundi Project on women, peace and

security is expected to target 7 municipalities through some selected local contacts. The proposed implementa-

tion plan is as follows:

The project will move to implementation after budgets have been done and discussed with relevant funding

agencies.

Then the project coordinator and seven municipalities’ focal points will visit the Philippines for two weeks to

learn the experience and best practice of the Philippines project (DAWN).

The training will include some financial aspects focusing on record keeping and reporting.

Language is envisaged to be a barrier but that can be resolved through interpretation. The Philippines counter-

parts will return the visit to Burundi for more elaborate training of the selected and enrolled women in Burundi.

The training session will include audio-visual recordings which will later serve as training kits (cost effective

option)

Based on the fact that the Burundi Women’s project (the one to be replicated) is yet to start, discussions on a

new project proceeded by looking at how the project can succeed. First it has to have a wider consultation of

stakeholders including local communities, the municipalities, central government, other NGOs working in the

area of livelihoods, peace and security, and sustainable development taking gender and environment into con-

sideration. Get the media involved in disseminating the project (but mindful of resource limitations – also

mindful of the fact that the project needs to start off low key and build on as time progresses).

Involve academia in research and training where necessary

Community leaders (traditional/political, religious, economic such as opinion leaders)

International agencies including the UN (UNICEF, UNFPA, WHO)

Embark on an intensive consultation, collaboration, networking with others in similar ventures (not just target-

ing the same problem but having same objectives of gender sensitivity, women’s empowerment, environmental

sustainability, etc). This will adopt best practice learning experiences.

The benefits of the project is envisaged to be mutually felt by all partners involved First the Burundian women and the Filipino women (BWPD and DAWN and ATIKHA) will have exchanges,

thus widening the learning and implementation (doing) aspects of the project. For both the Burundian women

and Filipino actors, there is going to be an increased status as a result of the skills acquired as well as ability to

impact these skills. The project will explore engagement of other actors such as organizations in the Nether-

lands to be part of the project. It could also be replicated in Ghana and elsewhere. The local government institu-

tions will serve as support base for activities. Consultation with the local communities should be more explic-

itly mentioned as a key activity in activities of BWPD.

Comments/Contribution The project needs to acknowledge the contribution of professional actors and DAWN. For instance, the project

has to link up with local government and national institutions in assessing the needs and support of local actors.

The project is not limited to Philippines and Burundi, it hopes to include other countries such as Ghana as per

the TRANSCODE criteria. In addition to that, the project is currently looking for support from the North.

In fact the project also involves men too but the key issues are women and sustainability because even in post-

war issues, for example, women are the most vulnerable and mostly given much attention.


��GROUP GREEN

Project Title: Poultry and Micro Credit Project OR Micro Financing for Selected Projects

What • Support women poultry farmers or other business initiatives to expand their enterprises

• A Cooperative will be established for beneficiaries to be part of the project

• Contribution from migrants into a fund or out-source to a micro credit bank

Objectives • Empower beneficiaries

• Create employment

• Create wealth

• Engage migrants in the development enterprise of their countries

Who – to be initiated by migrants in the north

How • Need experts to develop a feasibility study and business plan, monitoring and evaluation plan

• Seminars or information sessions for migrants on investment opportunities under the project

• Low cost Advertisement - Internet - social media

• Develop brochures

• Beneficiaries - Entrepreneurship training or some kind of training to get commitment from them

Project Management • Will be at the north and south

• Establish a shareholding structure for investors OR

• Get aid at the beginning and introduce a business focus in the long run so project will become self suffi-

cient

• Donors could support feasibility study, business plan, start up processes – mobilization of farmers, office

location and procuring of experts

• Money from migrants as loans

Project Financial Structure Grant Migrants

Where - Ghana and Philippines

TRANSCODE Features Replicable – could be implemented anywhere

Multi-stakeholder – migrants, beneficiaries, donors etc

Transnational – north-south project

Sustainable – beneficiaries to be involved in income generating activities

Will have to repay monies given out

Comments/Contribution Question: How do non-migrants benefit from this project?

Response: The aim of the project is to attract migrants to their country of origin by ensuring that there is an

existing livelihood for their families and for themselves. The project as at now will start with seed money in

poultry and later open up for diaspora investments too.

Addressing financial support for micro credit projects are important, so stringent measures must be adopted to

control its use. We have to be very critical on what kind of projects beneficiaries use the loans for, to avoid

mismanagement of the money.

Most of the objectives of the project have been started by other institutions; therefore this project should be

strategically situated, with a focus on what new addition the project will be offering.

Question: Who should be the beneficiaries?

Response: There is a need to conduct a study at the beginning stages to find out who the beneficiaries should be

to make room for the right target.

For the purpose of unforeseen circumstances such as loosing of birds and so on, the project needs insurance but

the banks do not offer insurance but loans which may have a high risk but sometimes a high profit margin.

For a sustainable growth, the micro-credit will be linked to other ventures apart from poultry and also open up

for commercial ventures.


CONCRETIZING DISCUSSIONS ON SPIN OFF PROJECTS

After a critical and analytical discussion of the spin off projects, Dr. Fabbio Baggio gave a briefing on the next

action to be taken on the spin off projects and proposals: He said the process includes:

• Writing of a concept paper with a coordinator

• Grading/ ranking

• Searching for funding as soon as possible

It was suggested that the comments to the various groups be incorporated and developed into a concept paper,

in addition to the RECOGIN project be submitted for grading by the steering committee. What is absent in the

RECOGIN project is the Burundi and Philippine projects which some participants thought could be added.

The groups were reminded that that seeking EU support has to follow a format which participants need to be

aware. Also participants were encouraged to consider other sources of funding.

Based on the reactions, a final fifteen minutes workshop session was held among groups for sharing of respon-

sibilities for the drafting of the concept papers.

DOCUMENTER’S REPORT

Mary Osei Kyei presented a summary of the four-day workshop. She gave a quick highlight on the welcome

note by Prof. Awumbila, the Director of the CMS, the objective of the workshop by Dr. Lothar Smith and the

keynote message from the Netherlands embassy, Ghana. She drew attention to the presentations by the re-

source persons and participants from Ghana, Philippines, The Netherlands and Italy under the three main

themes; M&D policies and practises: the context of TRANSCODE; Current transnational initiatives/projects

taken in Ghana, Discussion of new spin-off projects. Mary outlined the outcomes of the two thematic workshop

sessions, a briefing on the study field visits.

CONCLUSION

Participants were invited to spend fifteen minutes for group discussion in order to choose a coordinator, who

will be responsible for the coordination of the development of the project idea into a concept note according to

the format that will be provided soon by the Steering Committee. At the resumption of the plenary session the

four coordinators were identified. Then Dr. Fabio quickly introduced the next TRANSCODE 2 workshop,

which is to be held in Rome, Italy on 23-25 April, 2012. Such workshop is intended as the continuation of the

Elmina workshop and will provide more time to discuss and assess the concept notes prepared by the groups

according to the TRASNCODE criteria. Several Italy-based participants, representing the different sectors, will

be invited to join the different sessions aiming at contributing to the general discussion. The Rome workshop

should serve to provide essential elements for the transformation of the concept notes into project proposals and

identify possible funders. Dr. Baggio clarified that the available slots for the Rome workshop are limited and

representatives from the Netherlands, the Philippines and Ghana will be selected by the corresponding steering

committee member, according to the criteria established in the TRANSCODE 2 project. Dr. Baggio assured the

participants that all the necessary information concerning the next workshop will be coursed to the selected at-

tendees in due time. Finally, on behalf of the steering committee, Dr. Baggio requested the coordinators of each

group to submit the concept note on their correspoding spin off project within three weeks from the last day of

the Elmina workshop.

CLOSING REMARKS

Prof. Awumbila expressed her excitement about the workshop proceedings. She mentioned that she was

particularly struck by the level of professionalism exhibited by the participants and the openness of the discus-

sions. She said, though the concept of ‘Diaspora’ is challenged with several criticisms, the approach adopted by

TRANSCODE (e.g. sustainability, replicability) is a step in the right direction towards addressing most of these

challenges. Prof. Awumbila recommended TRANSCODE approach to be scaled up and used in all areas of mi-

gration and development. Before ending her remarks, she requested participants who had pressing questions

and thoughts, to voice them out in some few minutes. The question that was put forward was a very fundamen-

tal one: ‘WHY ARE WE ENGAGED IN TRANSCODE?’- Food for thought. On this note, she urged all

participants to keep pondering over this question as we depart to our various destinations.

The vote of thanks was done by Mr. Edward Asubonteng. He thanked all participants for taking time out of

their busy schedules to make this workshop a success and brought the workshop to an end. Malu and Dr. Lothar

also thanked the CMS –organizers of the TRANSCODE II workshop in Ghana for making this workshop a

successful one.


PHOTO RAPPORTAGE ELMINA CASTLE VISIT

DAY FIVE - FRIDAY, 27TH JAN, 2012

There was occasion for workshop participants to visit the Elmina Castle, the first trading post built on the Gulf

of Guinea, first built by the Portuguese, later controlled by the Dutch and British.

End of morning: Departure from Elmina Beach Resort


APPENDIX A: List of Participants and Guests of TRANSCODE 2 Workshop in Ghana

NAME ORGANIZATION

Center for Migration Studies, University of Ghana Participants

1. Prof. Mariama Awumbila Director, CMS

2. Mr. Edward A-Manu Principal Research Officer, CMS

4. Ms. Mary Osei Kyei PhD student, CMS

5. Dr. Delali Badasu Research Fellow, CMS

6. Dr. Osman Alhassan Research Fellow, CMS

7. Mr. Edwin Owusu-Mensah Min. of Tourism, Accra

9. Mr. David Agorsor Director, Migration Unit

10. Rev. Frank Twumasi Scholars in Transit, Nkoranza

11. Mr. Munkaila Aminu Africa Development Organization for Migration (AFDOM), Tamale

12. Mr. Anthony Kemavor Western Union and Agricultural Development Bank

13. Mr. George Atiim Research assistant, CMS

RECOGIN in The Netherlands Participants and their Partners in Ghana

14. Mr. K. Adade Owadek Ent.

15. Ruby Saakor Tetteh Afro Euro

16. Charles Vanderpuye Recogin chairperson

17. Grace Adadzewa Owoo SIFE

18. Mr. Spencer Taylor CEDECOM

19. William Brown ADRA

20. Toni Kofi Recogin, Director, Foundation Africa Next Door/STAND

21. Mrs. Victoria Daaku ADRA

Italy, Philippines and the Netherlands Participants

22. Mr. Gilbert Abasimi, General Secretary of COGNAI

23. Ms. Macrina Macol, Representative of MAPID

24. Dr. Fabio Baggio Scalabrini International Migration Institute

25. Carmelita Nuqui DAWN

26. Ms. Maria Luisa Reyes Director II, National Reintegration Center for OFWS-NRCO

27. Dr. Marla Asis Scalabrini Migration Center

28. Ms. Stephanie Mbanzendore Burundian Women for Peace and Development

29. Mr. Nii Ocquaye Hammond Sankofa

30. Ms. Ama van Dantzig Dutch Consortium of Migrant Organizations

31. Ms. Malu Padilla Transcode project coordinator

32. Dr. Lothar Smith Radboud University

33. Dr. Ton van Naerssen Radboud University

Guests/Resource Speakers

34. Mr. Frits van Bruggen Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Accra, Ghana

35. Mr. Peter van Eijk Project leader, Gouda-Elmina Drainage Project

36. Mr. Richard Boham Project Coordinator Gouda-Elmina City Twinning


APPENDIX B: TRANSCODE 2 Programme

TRANSCODE 2TRANSCODE 2

“A multiple stakeholders’ approach in fostering cooperation and development

across transnational contexts”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

January 23-27, 2012, Elmina Beach Resort, Ghana

PROGRAMME

Overall chairs:

Prof. Mariama Awumbila (Center for Migration Studies, Ghana) and Dr. Lothar Smith (Radboud University)

Sunday 22 January 2012 - Arrival of participants and registration

- Dinner

Day 1: Monday 23 January

8.30-9.00 Registration

9.00 - 11.00 Opening Session: Chair – Mr. Chsrles Vanderpuye, Chairperson RECOGIN

• Welcome – Prof. Mariama Awumbila, Director, Centre for Migration Studies

• Workshop objectives and programme – Dr. Lothar Smith, Radbound University

• Short introductory film: TRANSCODE 1

• Transcode vision and multi-stakeholders model approach on migration and

development - Dr. Fabio Baggio, Scalabrini International Migration Institute (SIMI),

Rome, Italy

• Brief Remarks by Netherlands Embassy

• Chairman’s remarks

11.00– 11.30 Short coffee/tea break

11.30 –13.00 Session 1: Panel: Linking the Transcode theme to policy issues in the field of

Migration and Development • Ghanaian policy on M&D – Prof. Mariama Awumbila, CMS, UG

• Dutch policy on international cooperation and M&D – Mr. Frits van Bruggen,

Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Embassy, Accra

• The role of civil society in migration and development policy making in Ghana -

Dr. Osman Alhassan, CMS, University of Ghana

• The Philippines: current migration policies, practices and challenges in the

Philippines: what can be learnt – Ms. Maria Luisa Reyes, Director II, National

Reintegration Center for OFWS-NRCO Philippines

13.00 -14.00 Lunch break

14.00– 17.30

Break

15.30-16.00

Session 2: Chair: Lothar Smith

Panel: Key issues for TRANSCODE arising from current M&D initiatives for specific

countries

• The Netherlands – Dr. Ton van Naerssen, Radboud University

• Italy – Dr. Fabio Baggio, SIMI

• The Philippines – Dr. Marla Asis, Scalabrini Migration Center

• Ghana – Dr. Delali Badasu, CMS, University of Ghana

• Local government – Richard Boham, Project coordinator Elmina-Gouda

city twinning

Discussion: Conceptual and empirical approach of M&D through TRANSCODE

Evening Film showing: TRANSCODE 1 visit in the Philippines and Netherlands

and Gender and Remittances Research Project of Oxfam/Novib.


Day 2: Tuesday 24 January

9.00- 13.00

Break

11.00-11.15

Session 3: Chair: Dr. Delali Badasu

Sharing of examples of projects: Presentation of projects from the Philippines, the

Netherlands and Italy

Recap of the previous day

• Fifteen-minute presentations of ongoing/new projects (plus 10 mins Q&A)

(see list of presenters)

• Small group discussions: emerging opportunities and insights arising out of the

presentations

• Plenary discussion: Criteria for M&D projects: replicable, multi-stakeholder,

transnational, sustainable/innovative


14.00-17.30

Break

15.30-16.00

Session: Chair: Dr. Marla Asis

Sharing of examples of projects: Presentation of projects from Ghana

• Fifteen minute presentations of ongoing/new projects by Ghana-based organizations

(plus 10 mins Q&A)

(See list of presenters)

• Small group discussions: emerging opportunities and insights arising out of the Ghana

presentations for other delegates (and vice versa)

• Plenary discussion: criteria for M&D projects: replicable, multi-stakeholder,

transnational, sustainable/innovative

Evening Film showing: ‘Aburokyire’ (Behind the Maize) of SANKOFA.

Informal get-together, chance to deepen sharing in small groups

9.00-12.30

With break in

between

Session 5

Chair: Ton van Naerssen

Identifying new spin-off projects

Workshop sessions in small groups

Plenary reporting of workshop results

14.00-17.30

With break in

between

Projects visit: transnational/migration and development initiatives Break up into smaller observation groups:

• what is the project approach

• what is innovative about it

• what role for migrants/transnational approaches

• how replicable as a model for elsewhere

Evening Informal get-together, chance to deepen sharing in small groups.

Day 3: Wednesday 25 January

13.00-14.00 Lunch break


TRANSCODE 2 workshop is organized by the Center for Migration Studies and Recogin

(The Representative Council of Ghanaian Organizations in the Netherlands).

TRANSCODE 2 partners:

Special thanks to:

Day 4: Thursday 26 January

9.00-13.00

With break in

between

Chair: Lothar Smith

Continuation of workshop sessions: Reporting back for reflection on the projects visited

on site

Group break up to discuss specific spin off projects and proposals

Report back


14.00-15.30

Break at 15.30

Chair: Mariama Awumbila and Fabio Baggio

TRANSCODE 2 – The next phase: Rome

Rapporteur: Summary of key insights and issues raised in this workshop

Food for thought and reflection: specific relevance for the next workshop in Rome by

Fabio Baggio

16.00-17.30 General evaluation of the workshop by all participants

Conclusion and Closing by Mariama Awumbila

Group pictures

Evening Cultural evening

Day 5: Friday 27 January

08.00 Departure of participants from venue (after breakfast)

08:00-09.00 Visit to Elmina Castle, the last slave fort, on way to Accra

Afternoon Evaluation of the workshop, future planning and organizational matters by the organizers

Accra: CMS offices


Edward A. Manu

Lothar Smith

Nii Ocquaye

Macrina Macol Hammond

Frank Twumasi

Maria Luisa Reyes

Ruby Saakor Tetteh

WORKING GROUPS

APPENDIX C: Working Groups

GROUP BLUE

GROUP ORANGE

William Brown

Stephanie Mbanzendone

Osman Alhassan

Victoria Daaku

Ton Van Naerssen

Robert Wilmot

Carmelita Nuqui

GROUP RED

Mariama Awumbila

Toni Kofi

Anthony Kemavor

Grace Adadzewa Owoo

Edwin Owusu

Ama Van Dantzig

Marla Asis

K. Adade

GROUP GREEN

Gilbert Abasimi

Charles Vanderpuye

Malu Padilla

Delali Badasu

Fabio Baggio

Munkaila Aminu

Mary Osei Kyei

David Agorsor


APPENDIX D: Evaluation Form

January 23-27, 2012, Elmina Beach Resort, Ghana

Workshop Evaluation

We appreciate your help in evaluating this workshop. Please indicate your rating of the workshop in the catego-

ries below by circling/ticking the appropriate answer on a scale of 1 to 4.

SCALE: 4 - Excellent 3 - Good 2 - Average 1 - Poor

A. Pre-Workshop Organization

1. Adequate information received prior to the workshop 1 2 3 4

2. The aims and purpose of the workshop were clear 1 2 3 4

B. Workshop Objectives and Expectations

3. Workshop objectives were achieved 1 2 3 4

4. Were your expectations in attending the workshop met? 1 2 3 4

C. Format and Structure of workshop

5. The format and structure of the workshop was adequate 1 2 3 4

6. How would you evaluate the overall presentations 1 2 3 4

7. Time allocated for presentation and discussions was adequate 1 2 3 4

8. What’s your assessment of handouts & workshop kits provided 1 2 3 4

9. How will you assess the small group discussion sessions 1 2 3 4

D. Field Trip

10. How useful were the field visits? 1 2 3 4

11. Enough time was allocated to field visit

E. Workshop venue and Catering arrangements

12. How would you evaluate the workshop venue 1 2 3 4

13. How do you rate the standard of accommodation provided 1 2 3 4

14. How would you rate the quality of food 1 2 3 4

‘’A multiple stakeholders’ approach in fostering cooperation and development

across transnational contexts’’




F. Additional Comments

15. Which part of the workshop would you like to see improved upon in the future?

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16. Please provide any comments or suggestions for future TRANSCODE workshops?

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17. Is there any specific follow up work that you would like to see arise from this workshop beyond what

will be discussed in the Rome workshop?

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18. Any other comments?

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Thank you for completing the questionnaire


APPENDIX E: Summary of Evaluation

January 23-27, 2012, Elmina beach Resort, Ghana

Workshop Evaluation Results



Pre-Workshop Organization Responses

1. Adequate information received prior to

workshop

Excellent (7) Good (7) Average (5) Poor ( )

2. The aims and purpose of the workshop were

clear


Workshop Objectives and Expectations

3. Workshop objectives were achieved Excellent (4) Good (10) Average (4) Poor ( )

4. Were your expectations in attending the

workshop met?


Format and Structure of Workshop

5. The format and structure of the workshop was

adequate


6. How would you evaluate the overall presenta-

tions

Excellent (4) Good (15) Average ( ) Poor ( )

7. Time allocated for presentation and discussions

was adequate


8. What’s your assessment of handouts and

workshop kits provided?


9. How will you assess the small group discussion

sessions?


Field trip

10. How useful were the field visit? Excellent (3) Good (10) Average (3) Poor (2)

11. Enough time was allocated to field visit Excellent (1) Good (7) Average (3) Poor (2)

Workshop venue and Catering Arrangements

12. How would you evaluate the workshop venue? Excellent (10) Good (6) Average (2) Poor ( )

13. How do you rate the standard of accommoda-

tion provided?


14. How would you rate the quality of food Excellent (8) Good (6) Average (2) Poor ( )


Continuation Evaluation Results

Additional Comments

15. Which part of the workshop would you like

to see improved upon in the future?

1. Field trip

2. Workshop information must be timely, concise

and very clear

3. Clear format on group discussions

4. Enough time for presentation

5. Session linking TRANSCODE to policy issues

and M&D

16. Please provide any comments for future

TRANSCODE workshops

1. Provide adequate models for proposal preparation

2. Involvement of policy makers in TRANSCODE

project countries

3. Draft of workshops should be circulated before

workshop or after presentation

4. Enough time for presentations

5. Participants should be given opportunity to chairs

some of the sessions

6. Outcomes of workshop should be stated clearly

7. Emphasis should be on practical project implemen-

tations and not research works

17. Is there any specific follow up work that you

would like to see arise from this workshop

beyond what will be discussed in the Rome

workshop?

1. Concretized and follow up on spin off projects

2. Meeting contacts and cementing relevant groups

interest on common themes

3. Seek funding from EU for spin off projects

4. How is monitoring going to done?

5. Collaboration between CMS, RECOGIN and

MDAs in Ghana to influence government policy

18. Any other comments? 1. Workshop information should be sent early

2. Need for specific projects focusing on integration

of migrant children into communities of place of

origin

3. Cultural performances from participants (music,

dance etc)

4. Attention be given to projects aimed at

developing home countries

5. Occasional updates on TRANSCODE

newsletter of post workshop development etc)

6. Too many presentations

7. Successful workshop, congratulation to

committee



APPENDIX F: Press Release

MOVING FROM ‘IDEAS’ TO ‘REALITIES’

Elmina Beach Resort, Central Region, Ghana

23 - 27 January 2012

TRANSCODE 2 Transnational Synergy and Cooperation for Development

Thirty-six participants from Ghana, the Netherlands, Italy and the Philippines met in

Elmina, Ghana for a four-day live-in workshop for the second Transnational Synergy for Cooperation and Development (TRANSCODE) on the 23rd to the 27th of January,

2012. The Elmina workshop was organised by the Centre for Migration Studies (CMS), University of Ghana and the Representative Council of Ghanaian Organisa-

tions (RECOGIN) with the support of the Transcode Steering Committee members.

This Ghana workshop is the first of two Transcode workshops scheduled for 2012.

The TRANSCODE programme aims to enhance the discussion and understanding

of the migration-development nexus, with the specific features of promoting the

involvement of multiple stakeholders and fostering cooperation across transnational contexts. It is a joint initiative started in 2009 by the Scalabrini Migration Center

(SMC) in the Philippines and the Radboud University (RU) in the Netherlands. The Scalabrini International Migration Institute (SIMI) in Italy came on board during the

planning and implementation of the Netherlands workshop (Soesterberg) in 2010.

The programme for TRANSCODE 2 has evolved into three components: (1)Interface workshops,

(2) Facilitation of spin-off projects , and (3) Research and publication.

Prior to the Ghana workshop, under the umbrella of TRANSCODE 1, two workshops were held in 2010 in Tagaytay City (Philippines) and in Soesterberg. Upon the

recommendation of TRANSCODE 1, SMC, RU and SIMI drafted the programme and

sought funding for TRANSCODE 2 which includes the Ghana workshop with the aim of opening up the initiative to participants from a new set of origin and destination

countries. Gha-na and Italy were chosen on the basis of several considerations including the existence of a sizeable Ghanian Diaspora in Italy, an emerging migra-

tion infrastructure in Ghana, and the participation of local governments in migration

and development projects.

The 36 delegates were drawn from Ghana, the Philippines, the Netherlands and Italy. They represented 4 national government agencies, 2 local government authori-

ties, 2 non-governmental organizations, 13 Diaspora and migrants associations, 1 private sector, 7 from the academia, and 3 researchers.

The workshop aimed at offering a learning process to facilitate the exchange of ex-

periences from different stakeholders and provide a platform for debate on concepts for transnational approaches to development, the constitution of stakeholders, and

the exploration of workable approaches. The workshop conceptualized and began

the initial development of spin-off projects that were relevant to the TRANSCODE projects. The four-day programme began with an opening session by Prof. Mariama

Awumbila, the Director of the Centre for Migration Studies (CMS), University of Ghana. She welcomed all participants present with a brief introduction between

Africa and Europe, and its development has a connection with the European trade with West Africa. She continued with an overview of the four-day workshop. The

opening session ended with the sharing of the workshop objectives and programme

by Dr. Lothar Smith of Radboud University Nijmegen.

The programme included presentations from key resource persons, working group sessions and field visits. The presentations highlighted migration and development

(M&D) policies and practices in the context of TRANSCODE being undertaken in Ghana, Philippines, the Netherlands and Italy. On the first day, the programme

focused on policy issues in the field of M&D and key issues arising from current M&D

initiatives in specific countries. The inputs were given by resource persons from the academe, national governments and the civil society. Dr. Fabio Baggio of SIMI

presented M&D issues from a theoretical perspective followed by Prof. Awumbila who


gave an overview of the Ghana M&D policies. For his part, Mr. David Agorsor of the

Migration Unit, Ministry of Interior of Ghana, talked about the Ghana’s initiatives on M&D such as establishing a Migration Unit to coordinate migration-related initiatives of

all government units. Mr. Frits van Bruggen, representing the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Accra, talked about the M&D policies of the Netherlands

while Ms. Maria Luisa Reyes of the National Reintegration Center for Overseas Filipino

Workers made a presentation on Philippine migration policies, thrusts and directions. Key issues arising from current M&D initiatives for specific counties were presented by

Dr. Ton van Naerssen (Netherlands), Dr.Baggio (Italy), Dr. Marla Asis (Philippines) and Dr. Osman Alhassan (Ghana).

The second day had 17 presentations by representatives of development NGOs and

Diaspora organisations about their work, projects and initiatives related to M&D. The projects range from large-scale food production development initiatives, small- and

large-scale entrepreneurships and capacity building activities related to migration

issues such as irregular migration and migrants rights. In order to ensure full participation of all participants, much time within the pro-

gramme was dedicated to workshop sessions for in-depth discussion on the projects

and initiatives presented during the second day. The first session provided participants the platform to critically discuss and share their respective experiences on the M&D

projects assigned to the various working groups. These projects were discussed on the basis of the criteria WHAT (development impact), WHO (multi-stakeholder approach),

HOW (transnational engagement) and WHERE (Bi-directionality).

The second session gave participants the opportunity to create new spin-off projects

(collaborative and transnational project ideas) on the basis of the key TRANSCODE criteria. One project idea on Transnational Partnership on Migration and Human Deve-lopment will look into the migration process, food security and employment in sending communities, dialogues and active citizenship in receiving countries, and reintegration

of migrant returnees. The second project idea, Transnational Initiatives for Sustainable Development in Ghana, aims to create a platform to enhance information and

resource sharing and to strengthen coordination among the different stakeholders in

supporting livelihood, investments, brain gain and other development initiatives in Ghana. The third, A Micro Credit Project or Micro Financing for Selected Projects , seeks to develop a more substantive transnational approach to an existing micro-credit project format of one of the participants in the workshop. Another proposal, Expanding and Adopting New Modalities for the Burundi Project on Women, Peace and Security, builds cooperation between various stakeholders, from different countries, who were

involved with reintegration programmes for women who have been subjected to nega-

tive social processes related to migration.

Working group members were tasked to develop a concept paper to develop these ideas into concrete projects and to facilitate fund sourcing. Further concretization of

the Concept Notes will be discussed during the follow-up workshop which will be held in Rome, Italy on 23-25 April 2012 under the auspices of the SIMI.

Participants also took a study trip to the Adventist Development and Relief Agency

(ADRA) woodlot project, Central Region Development Commission (CEDECOM) handicraft industry and the Elmina-Gouda City Twinning drainage project. The first two

are private sector development partners offering opportunities (be it administrative,

counselling, land acquisition or other facilitation) to the Diaspora to contribute to the development of Ghana. Participants at the workshop resolved to continue to explore

opportunities for closer collaboration. They also called for the integration of gender perspectives in migration research especially on remittances.

In sum, the workshop was a useful follow-up to TRANSCODE 1, moving from ‘ideas’ to

‘realities’. The workshop offered an opportunity for interaction which was concretized into proposals for 4 spin-off projects to be developed further. It also offered opportu-

nity for networking among participants for future collaborative projects.

The Centre for Migration Studies and Recogin are grateful to all participants for

ensuring a successful workshop.

For more information: � TRANSCODE Ghana workshop:

Center for Migration Studies

Prof. Mariama Awumbila

http://cms.ug.edu.gh/

� TRANSCODE Secretariat:

Malu Padilla

[email protected]

tel. +31 6 285 60 897

�

www.facebook.com/pages/Transcode-

Programme/312142875509912

Text: M.B. Osei Kyei (CMS)/TRANSCODE

Photos: G.A. Atiim (CMS)/TRANSCODE

Lay-out: M.B. Osei Kyei/M. Padilla

proceedings transcode 2 ghana workshop

Documents

day livein workshop

current migration

university of ghana

field of migration

migration studies

workshop objectives

transnational synergy

current transnational