Abstract
This paper explores the types and strength of transnational ties between Ghanaian immigrants in Canada and their country of origin. The study finds that Ghanaians maintain various types of ties to Ghana including communication by telephone, repeat migration, cultural activities, and investments, especially in home ownership. The desire for home ownership in Ghana is related to the immigrants' intentions to return there permanently in the future. The immigrants also maintain collective ties to the homeland through a network of ethnic associations in Canada. These associations provide financial support for local economic development in Ghana. They also provide an organizational structure through which the immigrants seek to address their political needs in Ghana.
Résumé
Cet article porte sur la nature et la qualité des liens transnationaux entre les immigrants ghanéens'au Canada et leur pays d'origine. Les résultats de l'étude indiquent que les Ghanéens entretiennent différents types de relations avec le Ghana, par des communications téléphoniques, entre autres, par des allers et retours répétés, par des activités culturelles, ainsi que par des investissements, en particulier dans l'habitation privée. Le désir de posséder une maison au Ghana témoigne de l'intention de ces immigrants de rentrer plus tard au pays de manière permanente. Ceux-ci ont aussi des rapports collectifs avec leur patrie grâce à un réseau d'associations ethniques au Canada qui offrent un soutien financier au développement local du Ghana. Elles sont aussi organisées de manière à ce que les immigrants puissent faire part de leurs revendications politiques au Ghana.
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Owusu, T.Y. Transnationalism among African immigrants in North America: The case of Ghanaians in Canada. Int. Migration & Integration 4, 395–413 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12134-003-1027-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12134-003-1027-x