SOCI 224 Social Structure of Modern Ghana Session 3 Demographic - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

College of Education School of Continuing and Distance Education

2016/2017

SOCI 224 Social Structure of Modern Ghana

Session 3– Demographic Changes: Rural-Urban Migration Lecturers: Dr. Fidelia Ohemeng & Dr. Mark K. M. Obeng Department of Sociology Contact Information: fohemeng@ug.edu.gh

Session Overview

• A lot of changes have occurred in Ghana’s population. The

population has grown substantially and a lot more people are moving to the urban areas. The session examines the trends in Ghana’s demography. It also identifies the causes for the movement of people from the urban areas to the rural as well as its implications for the society. Suggestions to mitigate rural-urban migration are also examined.

Slide 2

Session Outline

The key topics to be covered in the session are as follows:

• the changes that have occurred in Ghana’s population structure
• the factors that contribute to rural-urban migration
• the consequences of rural-urban migration for both the rural

and urban social structures

• ways to mitigate rural-urban migration

Slide 3

Reading List

• Abotchie, C. (2014). Social Change in Ghana. Accra: Hans
• Publications. Chapter 2
• Nukunya, G. (2014). Tradition and Change in Ghana: an

Introduction to Sociology. Accra: Ghana Universities Press. Chapter 11

• 2010 Ghana Population and Housing Census
• Breakdown of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assembly

Slide 4

CHANGES IN GHANA'S DEMOGRAPHY

Topic One

Slide 5

Changes in Ghana’s Demography

• Available data shows

that Ghana’s population has grown substantially

• Five censuses have

been conducted since independence

4.1 6.7 8.6 12.3 18.9 24.7 5 10 15 20 25 30 1948 1960 1970 1984 2000 2010

Ghana’s Population: 1948-2010

Population by Region and Sex, 2010

• REGION

TOTAL MALE FEMALE

• All Regions

24,658,823 12,024,845 12,633,978

• Western

2,376,021 1,187,774 1,188,247

• Central

2,201,863 1,050,112 1,151,751

• Greater Accra

4,010,054 1,938,225 2,071,829

• Volta

2,118,252 1,019,398 1,098,854

• Eastern

2,633,154 1,290,539 1,342,615

• Ashanti

4,780,380 2,316,052 2,464,328

• Brong Ahafo

2,310,983 1,145,271 1,165,712

• Northern

2,479,461 1,229,887 1,249,574

• Upper East

1,046,545 506,405 540,140

• Upper West

702,110 341,182 360,928

Age Distribution (2010)

Age Total Male Female

0-14 9,450,398 4,798,944 4,651,454 15-64 14,040,893 6,727,948 7,312,945 65+ 1,167,532 497,953 669,579 Adult population (18+) 13,632,299 6,431,820 7,200,479 Dependent population (<15 + 65+) 10,617,930 5,296,897 5,321,033

Major Ethnic Groups in Ghana (2010)

Growth Rate

• The growth rate of

every country is determined by fertility rate, mortality rate and migration

• Fertility rate (GDHS, 2014)

Year Annual Growth rate % 1960 na 1970 2.4 1984 2.6 2000 2.7 2010 2.5 Year Rate 1988 6.4 1998 4.4 2003 4.4 2008 4.0 2010 4.2

Life Expectancy: 1960-2010

Year Male female 1960 38 43 1970 45 48 1984 50 54 2000 55 60 2010 60 63

Causes of Demographic Change

• Ghana’s population has grown substantially due to:

– Improvement in Medical Science

• On the other hand fertility rate has reduced due to:

– Improvement in female education – Economic advancement

RURAL-URBAN MIGRATION

Topic Two

Slide 13

National Urban-Rural Distribution: 1960-2010

• Ghana’s urban population has increased since
• independence. About half of Ghana’s population live

in urban areas

• Below is the trend in urban population:

1960: 23% 1970: 29% 1984: 32% 2000: 44% 2010: 51%

Regional Rural-Urban Distribution- 2010

Slide 15

Population of Six Major Cities in Ghana

Year City/Town 1970 1984 2000 2010 Accra 624,091 969,195 1,658,937 2,070,463 Kumasi 346,336 496,628 1,170,270 2,035,064 Tamale 83,653 135,952 202,317 371,351 Takoradi 80,309 117,989 175,436 311,206 Sekondi 63,673 70,214 114,157 228,342 Ashaiman 24,549 50,918 150,312 190,972

Factors That Influence Rural-Urban Migration

• Push /centrifugal

– Economic factors: few employment opportunities – Social factors: escape from traditions and customs – Lack of social amenities and infrastructure – Lack of entertainment facilities

Rural -Urban Migration

• Pull factors/centripetal

– Economic: perceived availability of jobs in urban areas – Social factor: less rigid customs; greater anonymity – Cultural attractions: availability of social amenities such as higher education, lights, hospitals

IMPACT OF RURAL-URBAN MIGRATION

Topic Three

Slide 19

Impact on rural areas

• Rural economy is affected since able-bodied young

men and women migrate to urban centers

• Religiosity is affected
• The family is affected
• Traditional political authority weakens

Impact on urban areas

• Urban poverty
• Insecurity in urban areas as crime increases
• High unemployment and underemployment
• Kinship ties giving way to associational ties
• Pressure on social amenities

Impact on urban areas

STEMMING THE TIDE

Topic Four

Slide 23

Breaking the tide

• Establishment of agro-based industries
• Investment in rural economy in terms of loans
• Review land tenure system
• Subsidization of agricultural imputes such as

fertilizers, tools

• Good roads to aid marketing of farm produce and

markets to sell produce