Accra, December 11, 2017//-Latest Afrobarometer survey has revealed that four in 10 Ghanaians (41%) have considered emigrating, but on only a few have taken steps to leave.
The survey also disclosed that most of the potential emigrants are in search of more favourable economic prospects in a more suitable land, while a majority of the people prefer to live outside Africa, with North America and Europe being the most preferred destinations.
The release of data follows the recent inhuman treatment of African migrants in Libya.
Footage released by CNN from Libya showed hundreds of young men from sub-Saharan Africa being auctioned as farm workers. This incident was condemned by the world especially the US, Europe and Africans in the dispora.
For many decades, the North African country of Libya has been the gateway for Africans who want to travel to Europe illegally.
Key findings of the survey are that:
Four in 10 Ghanaians (41%) say they have considered emigrating, including 20% who say they have given “a lot” of thought to the idea.
About three in 10 (29%) say they or someone in their household has gone to live in another country for more than three months during the past three years.
The report said a few (8%) of those who want to emigrate say they are taking concrete steps to emigrate, such as seeking a visa; 28% say they plan to leave within the next year or two but are not yet making concrete preparations, while 63% say they have considered emigrating but have not made specific plans yet.
Among those who have considered emigrating, a majority (53%) would want to move to find work. Others want to escape economic hardship (19%) or find better business prospects (8%).
Among potential emigrants, the most popular destinations are North America (39%), while 31% prefer living in Europe. Only 11% would want to live in other African countries
African Eye Report
