About the Migration Governance Indicators
About the Migration Governance Indicators
Migrants' rights
Migrants' rights
Indicators in this domain assess the extent to which migrants have the same status as citizens in terms of access to basic social services such as health, education, and social security. It also describes the rights of migrants to family reunification, to work, and to residency and citizenship. The ratification of the main international conventions is also included within this domain.
Indicators in this category look at the extent to which migrants have access to certain social services such as health, education and social security. They also examine measures to ensure integration and access to work.
Whole of government approach
Whole of government approach
Indicators in this domain assess countries’ institutional, legal, and regulatory frameworks related to migration policies. Domain 2 also reviews the existence of national migration strategies that are in-line with development, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in relation to migration management. This domain also investigates the extent to which governments collect and use migration data.
Indicators in this category assess the institutional frameworks of cities for migration. This area also examines the existence of migration strategies consistent with development objectives, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in migration management.
Partnerships
Partnerships
This domain focuses on countries’ efforts to cooperate on migration-related issues with other states and with relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector. Cooperation can lead to improvements in governance by aligning and raising standards, increasing dialogue and providing structures to overcome challenges.
Indicators in this category focus on cities’ efforts to cooperate on migration issues with the national government as well as other cities and relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector.
Well-being of migrants
Well-being of migrants
This domain includes indicators on countries’ policies for managing the socioeconomic well-being of migrants, through aspects such as the recognition of migrants’ educational and professional qualifications, provisions regulating student migration and the existence of bilateral labour agreements between countries. Indicators equally focus on policies and strategies related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances.
Indicators in this category assess cities’ initiatives in terms of international student mobility, access to the labour market and decent working conditions for migrant workers. Aspects related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances are also included in this domain.
Mobility dimensions of crises
Mobility dimensions of crises
This domain studies the type and level of preparedness of countries when they are faced with mobility dimensions of crises, linked to either disasters, the environment and/or conflict. The questions are used to identify the processes in place for nationals and non-nationals both during and after disasters, including whether humanitarian assistance is equally available to migrants as it is to citizens.
Indicators in this category examine the type and level of readiness of cities to deal with aspects of mobility crises. The questions focus on the processes in place for citizens and non-citizens both during and after disasters, especially if humanitarian assistance is available for migrants and citizens.
Safe, orderly and regular migration
Safe, orderly and regular migration
This domain analyses countries’ approach to migration management in terms of border control and enforcement policies, admission criteria for migrants, preparedness and resilience in the case of significant and unexpected migration flows, as well as the fight against trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants. It also assesses efforts and incentives to help integrate returning citizens.
Indicators in this category look at the cities’ approaches to migrant safety as well as return and reintegration policies and the fight against trafficking in persons.
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Key findings
Introduction
This profile describes examples of well-developed areas of the City of Accra's migration governance structures and areas with potential for further development, as evaluated by the six domains of the Migration Governance Indicators (MGI). These address migrants’ rights, a “whole-of-government” approach, partnerships, socioeconomic well-being of migrants, the mobility dimensions of crises, and safe and orderly migration.
Click the icons on the wheel to explore the key findings.
The Migration Governance Indicators (MGI) initiative is a policy-benchmarking programme led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and implemented with the support of the Economist Intelligence Unit.
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Key findings
Migrants' rights
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas:
- The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) does not impose restrictions on migrants’ access to social services such as health care, education and social security.
- The AMA has carried out mass National Health Insurance Scheme registrations within deprived communities, including migrants, to enhance their access to health care.
Areas with potential for further development:
- There are currently no information/awareness-raising campaigns aimed at fighting xenophobia and exclusion at the local level.
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Key findings
Whole of government approach
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas:
- The local authority consults with multiple agencies within the jurisdiction of the city to develop local policies and by-laws on migration related issues.
- The Ghana Statistical Service and the National Disaster Management Organization have integrated their operations at the local level into the structure of the AMA.
Areas with potential for further development:
- The AMA Medium-Term Development Plan (2018–2021) does not have any strategy or sections specifically dedicated to migration.
- The AMA is yet to develop training programmes for its staff on issues concerning migrants, such as cultural sensitivity.
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Key findings
Partnerships
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas:
- The AMA was a member of the 100 Resilient Cities network, which highlighted dealing with displaced persons and migrants as one of the challenges to address.
- The AMA has international city-to-city exchange partnership programmes with American cities and the city of Cape Town, among others. These programmes aim at encouraging the improvement of the quality of life of all residents, including migrants.
Areas with potential for further development:
- The AMA does not formally engage with migrant associations, civil society organizations or the private sector on migration-related issues.
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Key findings
Well-being of migrants
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas:
- The city does not impose restrictions regarding access to the labour market for migrants.
Areas with potential for further development:
- The Labour Department, decentralized at the local level, does not have specific programmes to promote the ethical recruitment of immigrants at the local level.
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Key findings
Mobility dimensions of crises
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas:
- The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), represented at the metropolis, municipal, district and zones level, provides Emergency assistance to all affected people, regardless of their migratory status.
- The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) uses local radio stations and public community centres, among others, to communicate with the local population in times of crisis.
Areas with potential for further development:
- The AMA is yet to develop specific initiatives or strategies to address migratory movements caused by climate change.
- The NADMO’s strategy and plan for dealing with migratory movements caused by environmental degradation and climate change have not been fully integrated into local planning.
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Key findings
Safe, orderly and regular migration
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas:
- The Ghana Immigration Service, the lead statutory body responsible for migration management in Ghana has several decentralized departments working at the city level.
- The Migration Information Bureau and the Anti-Human Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons Unit conduct information campaigns on migration and outreach programmes at the community level in Accra.
Areas with potential for further development:
- Neither local authorities nor the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development are represented on the Ghana Refugee Board which is responsible for resettlement coordination, among others.
