Forced to leave their homes, many displaced people in Ghana now face a different kind of struggle economic survival. Without stable jobs or financial assistance from their families, both refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) find themselves trapped in a cycle of hardship, unable to secure a better future.
The lack of employment and economic support is pushing many into distress, limiting their access to basic needs and forcing them into precarious living conditions.
“We don’t have employment, and we don’t have support from home,” one IDP lamented, a sentiment echoed by many others interviewed in a study led by Professor Mary B. Setrana under the IDRC Research Chair on Forced Displacement in Anglophone West Africa.
The research, which surveyed 493 displaced persons, found that economic hardship is one of the most pressing challenges for FDPs in Ghana. More than half of refugees (54%) are unemployed, and although IDPs fare slightly better, 14% remain without jobs.
Among those who do work, self-employment is the most common survival strategy, yet few have the resources to establish stable businesses. Only 8% of refugees and 46% of IDPs are engaged in small-scale self-employment, but even this is precarious, as many lack access to startup capital, training, and markets. Those without work often rely on temporary, informal jobs that pay very little and offer no security.
For many displaced persons, economic hardship is worsened by the complete absence of financial support from their home communities. The study found that while 55% of IDPs send money to family members in their places of origin, only 9% of refugees are able to do the same.
Even fewer receive financial assistance, only 23% of IDPs and 17% of refugees reported getting any money from home. This financial isolation leaves them with little to fall back on when times get tough, increasing their vulnerability to hunger, homelessness, and exploitation.
The distress caused by joblessness and lack of support manifests in multiple ways. Many displaced individuals find themselves unable to afford basic necessities, including food, healthcare, and decent housing. The study highlights that 13% of respondents have no source of income at all, making them entirely dependent on humanitarian organizations, religious groups, and local community networks. However, these sources of assistance are often unreliable, leaving many to struggle on their own.
Without stable economic opportunities, access to quality healthcare and education remains out of reach for many displaced persons. The study reveals that children in displaced communities, particularly girls, face significant barriers to education, with 16% of refugee girls and 5% of IDP boys ranking their access to schooling at the lowest level.
Many children are forced to drop out of school to support their families, while others lack the basic materials and financial resources needed to continue their education. This lack of access to education not only limits their future prospects but also perpetuates cycles of poverty within displaced communities.
The psychological impact of economic uncertainty is another growing concern. The research suggests that many displaced persons experience high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression as they struggle to provide for themselves and their families.
The constant uncertainty over food, shelter, and employment creates feelings of hopelessness, particularly among youth who see few opportunities for advancement. Some turn to risky survival strategies, including child labor, begging, or dangerous informal jobs, while others become victims of exploitation.
The study report indicated that without targeted economic inclusion policies, access to vocational training, and financial support mechanisms, displaced persons will remain trapped in poverty with little hope for improvement. They call for stronger initiatives to integrate displaced persons into Ghana’s job market, including skills training programs, microfinance opportunities, and legal pathways for employment.
The research, funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), is part of a broader effort to provide evidence-based recommendations for addressing forced displacement in Anglophone West Africa. The IDRC aims to support policies that improve economic opportunities and social inclusion for displaced populations, ensuring that they have the means to rebuild their lives and secure a stable future.
For now, many displaced persons in Ghana continue to face the daily reality of economic struggle, with no clear path forward. Without urgent intervention, their situation is unlikely to improve, leaving them stuck in a cycle of poverty, dependency, and uncertainty.
