Making homes: the Ghanaian diaspora, institutions and development

Abstract

Abstract The paper analyses the impact of institutions and organizations on development of home through a case study of Ghanaians in the UK and Ghana. While individual or household level remittances are undoubtedly a key dimension of livelihood strategies we focus on the collective or institutional level. We examine the linkages between Ghanaian organizations in Southern England and various organizations in Ghana, including hometown, welfare, traditional leaders, church, and alumni. We examine the nature of these flows and offer preliminary analyses of their impacts. We address the impact of differing organizational cultures and how the rights and obligations embedded in identities impact on these practices, particularly, the ways in which status and sanctions operate in the networks. © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.