Richard Leigh

This roadmap is an output of the project “West Africa – Migration and Development, Partnership for Rights-based Governance of Migration and Mobility” or MADE West Africa, which is funded by the European Commission. MADE West Africa was launched by AFFORD (African Foundation for Development), the Centre for Migration Studies (University of Ghana), the FORIM (Forum of International Organizations of Migration Issues), and ICMC Europe (International Catholic Migration Commission).

The main objective of this study is to understand the capacity and interest of the Ghanaian and Sierra Leonean diaspora engaged in development and job creation activities and to identify how to best support and enhance these positive contributions. This study aims at demonstrating the value of a progressive relationship between diaspora/migrants and remittances for development and job creation. It also assesses the development impact of remittances in Ghana and Sierra Leone and sheds light on the role of the diaspora and their initiatives in development and job creation agendas in their countries of origin by assessing their resources, expertise and time. Finally, this study proposes recommendations within this framework on financing for sustainable development.