A new study conducted by the International Organisation for Migration in partnership with the Ghana Statistical Service has shown that out of the Ashanti and the Brong Ahafo regions, the Berekum Municipal area is the place that received the highest remittances from abroad in 2016.
According to the researchers, the pilot study captured six municipal and district areas in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions believed to be the areas where most Ghanaians living abroad emigrated from.
The areas are Mampong Municipal, Sekeyere Kumawu, Asante Akim North, Berekum Municpal, Techiman Municipal and Nkoranza South. The total amount of cash received by households as remittances in the 12 months prior to the study in 2016 was about 1.3 million cedis.
The Berekum Municipal recorded the highest mean of cash remittances followed by Asante Akim North, and Mampong Municipal. Nkoranza South, Sekeyere Kumawu and Techiman Municipal followed in the fourth, fifth and sixth positions respectively.
Speaking to Citi Business News on the methodology, the Head of Field Operations and Logistics at the Ghana Statistical Service, Peter Peprah explained that the survey covered 1,200 households selected in 60 clusters based on the 2010 Population and Housing Census sample frame.
He added that the 20 households were sampled from each cluster for interview after listing of households.
“The main objective of the study was to collect basic statistics on the situation, including remittances received by households, channel and the purpose for which remittances were received,” he said
Touching on the findings, the Head of Data Production Unit at the Ghana Statistical Service, Godwin Odei Gyebi stated that the total amount of cash received by households as remittances in the in the 12 months prior to the study was GHS1,361,678 .
“Households in Berekum Municipal received the highest remittances of GHS532,272, followed by those in Asante Akim North with GHS313,261 while the lowest was received by households in Techiman Municipal with GHS69,700. The mean amount of cash received is GHS4,663.28. Berekum Municipal recorded the highest mean cash remittances of GHS9,177 while the lowest was Techiman Municipal with an amount of GHS1,834.21,” he said.
The USA was the country that had most emigrants remitting to Ghana, followed by Italy and then UK. Germany, Spain other African countries, Canada, and Belguim followed in that other.
Mr. Gyebi observed that migrant remittances have played an important role in the economic development, social resilience and the improvement of household welfare in Ghana.
The Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration, Sylvia Lopez-Ekra explained to Citi Business News that the purpose for the study is to reduce the high cost in remitting money as well as enhance financial inclusion.
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By: Lawrence Segbefia/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana
