More than 20 African mobility scholars recently convened in Ghana for the first-ever South-South Migration Network conference, where they committed to rethinking and challenging the prevailing narratives surrounding migration in the Global South.
The two-day event held from August 6-7, 2024, brought together migration academics, researchers, and activists from across the continent, aiming to decentralize knowledge production and promote locally relevant, globally impactful research.
The conference, coordinated by the Centre for Migration Studies at the University of Ghana and the University of Cape Town, saw participation from countries including Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Burkina Faso, Mozambique, and Cape Verde. The event set the stage for the newly established South-South Migration Network, which seeks to reshape the discourse on migration by addressing the unique experiences of the Global South.
Prof. Mary B. Setrana, the IDRC Research Chair on Forced Displacement in Anglophone West Africa and Director of the Centre for Migration Studies, discussed the need to decentre knowledge production and counter the negative narratives that often dominate discussions on Global South migration. “This meeting provides an avenue for African migration researchers, scholars, activists, and migrant associations to reflect and relearn from the bottom-up,” she remarked.
Dr. Faisal Garba from the University of Cape Town underscored the network’s goal to bridge linguistic and scholarly divides within African migration studies. He noted that the network will focus on developing a research and advocacy agenda that includes producing a South-South migration dictionary and critically appraising continental policy frameworks on migration.
Prof. Joseph Awetori Yaro, Provost of the College of Humanities at the University of Ghana, urged the scholars to engage in research that challenges the prevailing narratives on migration, aligning with the University’s new research strategy. He pledged the University’s support for the network’s activities, highlighting the importance of collaboration in advancing this agenda.
Key remarks were also delivered by Dr. Ibrahima Dia, Director of the African Centre for the Study and Research on Migration, and Dr. Godwin Murunga, Executive Secretary of CODESRIA, both of whom spotlighted the critical role of the network in shaping Africa’s migration policies and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration.
Prof. Ibrahim Awad from the American University of Cairo advocated for more inter-sub-regional research, while Dr. Alexandra Tapsoba from Joseph Ki-Zerbo University in Burkina Faso highlighted the need for equity and resource mobilization in South-South migration collaborations.
The scholars reached a consensus on the need for internal funding to sustain the network’s activities, highlighting the importance of African-led solutions in tackling migration challenges across the Global South.
