Bono & Bono East, Ghana – From 28 November to 2 December 2022, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), with funding from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and in collaboration with BOK Africa Concern, handed over six reintegration projects to communities in the Bono and Bono East regions. The initiatives aim to provide employment opportunities for returned migrants and community members, especially the youth, in the of communities of Yawhima, Agina, Asuoano, Datobaa, Anama, and Bonsu.

The Bono and Bono East Regions of Ghana have some of the highest rates of return in the country. Given the regions’ lack of social amenities and infrastructure, many young people seek to travel abroad in search of better economic opportunities. The provision of training, and the establishment of basic infrastructure and sustainable community-led enterprises aim to tackle these challenges.

Corn mill, boreholes, piggery and sheep farms, leather factory, vegetable garden, sewing centre

In the Asuano community, one corn mill and two mechanised community boreholes were established. The boreholes will provide clean water for the community and funds from the sale of water. The funds are expected to support the maintenance of the boreholes and are intended to be reinvested into further community development. A brass band was created as a social intervention, fostering social cohesion, community harmony and togetherness.

“The piggery farm has given us women hope that soon we can contribute our quota to society. If we take care of the pigs, the pigs will take care of us,” said Ruth Adams, an IOM beneficiary and community member of Yawhima, where IOM assisted six women to start a collective piggery.

A shoe and leather factory, vegetable garden, and a sewing center were established in and handed over to the communities of Agina, Dotobaa, and Bonsu, respectively.

“I pledge my support to continue to make this center one of the best in the region. I encourage every youth in Bonsu and its environs to take advantage and learn a trade. The center is open to everyone who is willing to learn and make it in Ghana,” said Nana Opoku Ware 1 Chief of Bonsu after who the sewing centre was named, accepting the responsibility attributed to him.

In the Anama community, six IOM beneficiaries came together to start a collective sheep farm. They received ten sheep of superior breeds to start up their business. Bukari Astanga, a member of the collective, said: “The fact that all five female sheep are pregnant, is hope for a better future. We will make sure to make enough money to care for ourselves and our families. We are grateful for the second chance given to us to restart our lives after returning from Libya.”

Contributing to community development, social cohesion and reduction of stigma

The purpose of IOM's community-based reintegration projects is to bring together returnees and community members to contribute to the development of the communities, assist returnees in re-establishing themselves in a sustainable manner, and help to reduce stigma against returnees.

“Over the past four years, we have worked with communities to successfully establish reintegration projects. These projects have a proven history of benefiting the returnees and their communities alike, especially the youth. In all our interventions, the communities are actively involved from the inception stage which enables us to create meaningful opportunities for the youth, and ultimately strengthen the relationship between returnees and their communities in a sustainable way,” said Ms. Pooja Bhalla, Project Manager, IOM Ghana.

The interventions were carried out as part of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit-(GIZ) funded project "Assistance to Ghanaian Returnees and Potential Migrants" through its Ghanaian-German Centre for Jobs, Migration and Reintegration (GGC).

For additional information, please contact David Darko, IOM Ghana's Reintegration Project Assistant, at ddarko@iom.int.