7 - Are Ghanaian Diaspora Middle Class? Linking Middle Class to Political Participation and Stability in Ghana
Corresponding Author(s) : Jamilla Hamidu
Africa Development,
Vol. 40 No. 1 (2015): Africa Development: Special Issue on Migration
Abstract
Ghana, like many African countries, has had its fair share of political instability in the aftermath of independence. In the late 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, the country witnessed some political turbulence, marked especially by a long period of dictatorial military rule. However, since the return to constitutional rule in 1992, Ghana has emerged as one of the most stable countries in the West African sub-region and has become a beacon of democracy for other African countries to emulate. This political stability has been largely attributed to the positive role of the educated middle class from the diaspora. This article provides a case study of the Ghanaian diaspora, as middle class and the role they have played and continue to play in maintaining Ghana’s political stability. A field work was conducted between February 2012 and May 2013 to ascertain what constitutes Ghana’s middle class and establish their link to political stability in Ghana. The sample consisted of 52 respondents in Accra who were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. What constitutes the Ghanaian middle class? How do they organise themselves politically? Are they truly the vanguard of political stability in Ghana? If so, how have they accomplished this? These are some of the questions the article will provide answers to.
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- African Development Bank, 2011, The Middle of the Pyramid: Dynamics of the Middle Class in Africa, Market Brief, April, www.afdb.org
- African Development Bank, Repulic of Ghana Country Strategy Paper 2012- 2016.
- Akeampong, E., 2000, “Africans in the Diaspora: The Diaspora and Africa”, African Affairs, Vol. 99, n° 395, Centenary Issue: A Hundred Years of Africa, pp. 183-215.
- Anarfi, J., Quartey, P., and Agyei, J., 2010, Key Determinants of Migration among Health Professionals in Ghana, Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research and Department of Geography and Resource Development, University of Ghana report for Development Research Centre on Migration, Globalisation and Poverty, pp. 10-15.
- Arthur, J., ed. 2008, The African diaspora in the United State and Europe: The Ghanaian case study, Ashegate Publishing Limited, Hampshire, pp. 27-49.
- Austin, D. 1970, “Return to Ghana,” African Affairs, Vol. 69, n° 274, pp. 67-71. Baker, P.H., 1988, “The Myth of Middle Class Moderation: African Lessons for South Africa”, Issue, Vol.16, n° 2. pp. 22-30.
- Balandier, G., 1965, « Problématique des classes sociales en Afrique noire », Cahiers Internationaux de Sociologie, n° 38, pp. 131-142.
- Banerjee, A and Duflo, E., 2008, “What is Middle Class about the Middle Classes around the World?” , Journal of Economic Perspectives, 22(2), pp.45-60.
- Bibby, J., 1973, “The Social Base of Ghanaian Education: Is It Still Broadening”? British Journal of Sociology, n° 24, pp. 365- 374.
- Binet, J., 1961, « Naissance de classes sociales en Afrique noire », Revue de l’Action populaire, n° 151, pp. 956-964.
- Boadu, K. 2002 “Social Class and Health Status in Ghana”, Current Sociology, n° 50 (4), pp. 531-553.
- Bourdieu, P., 1984, « Espace social et genèse des classes », Actes de la recherche en sciences sociales, n° 52/53, pp. 52-53. Chen,S.andRavallion,M.,2004,“HowHavetheWorld’sPoorestFaredsincethe Early 1980s?” World Bank Res. Obs., n° 19, pp. 141-169.
- Clignet, R. and Foster, P., 1964, Potential elites in Ghana and Ivory Coast a Preliminary
- Comparison, American Journal of Sociology, n° 70 (3), pp. 349-36. Darbon,D.andToulabor,C.,2013, WhatMiddleClass(es)inAfrica?ALiteratureReview, Agence Française de Développement,Working paper 118, Strategy Directorate Research Department.
- Dijohn, J. and Putzel, J., 2009, Political Settlements, GSDRC Emerging Issues Research Service, 15 p.
- Diop, M., ed. 1985, Histoire des classes sociales dans l’Afrique de l’Ouest, L’Harmattan, Paris, pp. 112-120.
- Easterly, W., 2001, The Middle Class Consensus and Economic Development, Journal of Economic Growth, 6 (4), pp. 25-30.
- Foster, P., ed. 1965, Education and Social Change in Ghana. Chicago: Chicago University Press, pp 13-21.
- Gyimah-Boadi, E. and Mensah K.A.A., 2003, “The Growth of Democracy in Ghana. Despite Economic Dissatisfaction: A Power Alternation Bonus”, Afrobarometer, n° 28, June. pp.5-15.
- Lentz,C.,2010, Hardwork,determinationandluck:biographicalnarrativesofaGhanaian elite, Ghana Studies 11. pp. 10-21.
- Lloyd, 1966, The Drums of Kumasi: The Story of the Ashanti Wars. London Longmans, pp. 30-51.
- Luckham, R, Gyimah-Boadi, E. Ahazie W. and Boateng, N., 2005, “Middle Class and their role in National Development”, CDD/ODI Policy Brief No. 3, November.
- Nugent, P., ed. 1995, Big Men, Small Boys and Politics in Ghana, New York Print, pp. 15-58.
- Quartey, P., ed. 2009, Migration Ghana: A Country Profile, International Organisation for Migration Press, Geneva, pp 35-50.
- Robinson, B. A., 2004, Optimistic Ghanaians Return Home and Make a Difference, Accra, unpublished msc, pp.10-25.
- Scudder, Colson, 1980, Secondary Education and the Formation of an Elite: The Impact of Education on Gwembe District, Zambia, Academic Press New York, pp. 50-75.
- Sheffer, G., ed. 2003, Diaspora Politics: Home and Abroad, Cambridge Univerity Press, New York, pp 141-167.
- Svanikier J.O., 2007, “Political Elite Circulation: Implications for Leadership Diversity and Democratic Regime Stability in Ghana”, Comparative Sociology, 6, pp. 114–135.
- Van Hear, N., ed 1998, New Diasporas: The Mass Exodus, Dispersal Comparative and Regrouping of Migrant, Communities, London, UCL Press, pp. 55-75.
- World Bank 2007, “Global Economic Prospects 2007: “Managing the Next Wave of Globalization”, World Bank, Washington, DC pp. 15-21.
References
African Development Bank, 2011, The Middle of the Pyramid: Dynamics of the Middle Class in Africa, Market Brief, April, www.afdb.org
African Development Bank, Repulic of Ghana Country Strategy Paper 2012- 2016.
Akeampong, E., 2000, “Africans in the Diaspora: The Diaspora and Africa”, African Affairs, Vol. 99, n° 395, Centenary Issue: A Hundred Years of Africa, pp. 183-215.
Anarfi, J., Quartey, P., and Agyei, J., 2010, Key Determinants of Migration among Health Professionals in Ghana, Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research and Department of Geography and Resource Development, University of Ghana report for Development Research Centre on Migration, Globalisation and Poverty, pp. 10-15.
Arthur, J., ed. 2008, The African diaspora in the United State and Europe: The Ghanaian case study, Ashegate Publishing Limited, Hampshire, pp. 27-49.
Austin, D. 1970, “Return to Ghana,” African Affairs, Vol. 69, n° 274, pp. 67-71. Baker, P.H., 1988, “The Myth of Middle Class Moderation: African Lessons for South Africa”, Issue, Vol.16, n° 2. pp. 22-30.
Balandier, G., 1965, « Problématique des classes sociales en Afrique noire », Cahiers Internationaux de Sociologie, n° 38, pp. 131-142.
Banerjee, A and Duflo, E., 2008, “What is Middle Class about the Middle Classes around the World?” , Journal of Economic Perspectives, 22(2), pp.45-60.
Bibby, J., 1973, “The Social Base of Ghanaian Education: Is It Still Broadening”? British Journal of Sociology, n° 24, pp. 365- 374.
Binet, J., 1961, « Naissance de classes sociales en Afrique noire », Revue de l’Action populaire, n° 151, pp. 956-964.
Boadu, K. 2002 “Social Class and Health Status in Ghana”, Current Sociology, n° 50 (4), pp. 531-553.
Bourdieu, P., 1984, « Espace social et genèse des classes », Actes de la recherche en sciences sociales, n° 52/53, pp. 52-53. Chen,S.andRavallion,M.,2004,“HowHavetheWorld’sPoorestFaredsincethe Early 1980s?” World Bank Res. Obs., n° 19, pp. 141-169.
Clignet, R. and Foster, P., 1964, Potential elites in Ghana and Ivory Coast a Preliminary
Comparison, American Journal of Sociology, n° 70 (3), pp. 349-36. Darbon,D.andToulabor,C.,2013, WhatMiddleClass(es)inAfrica?ALiteratureReview, Agence Française de Développement,Working paper 118, Strategy Directorate Research Department.
Dijohn, J. and Putzel, J., 2009, Political Settlements, GSDRC Emerging Issues Research Service, 15 p.
Diop, M., ed. 1985, Histoire des classes sociales dans l’Afrique de l’Ouest, L’Harmattan, Paris, pp. 112-120.
Easterly, W., 2001, The Middle Class Consensus and Economic Development, Journal of Economic Growth, 6 (4), pp. 25-30.
Foster, P., ed. 1965, Education and Social Change in Ghana. Chicago: Chicago University Press, pp 13-21.
Gyimah-Boadi, E. and Mensah K.A.A., 2003, “The Growth of Democracy in Ghana. Despite Economic Dissatisfaction: A Power Alternation Bonus”, Afrobarometer, n° 28, June. pp.5-15.
Lentz,C.,2010, Hardwork,determinationandluck:biographicalnarrativesofaGhanaian elite, Ghana Studies 11. pp. 10-21.
Lloyd, 1966, The Drums of Kumasi: The Story of the Ashanti Wars. London Longmans, pp. 30-51.
Luckham, R, Gyimah-Boadi, E. Ahazie W. and Boateng, N., 2005, “Middle Class and their role in National Development”, CDD/ODI Policy Brief No. 3, November.
Nugent, P., ed. 1995, Big Men, Small Boys and Politics in Ghana, New York Print, pp. 15-58.
Quartey, P., ed. 2009, Migration Ghana: A Country Profile, International Organisation for Migration Press, Geneva, pp 35-50.
Robinson, B. A., 2004, Optimistic Ghanaians Return Home and Make a Difference, Accra, unpublished msc, pp.10-25.
Scudder, Colson, 1980, Secondary Education and the Formation of an Elite: The Impact of Education on Gwembe District, Zambia, Academic Press New York, pp. 50-75.
Sheffer, G., ed. 2003, Diaspora Politics: Home and Abroad, Cambridge Univerity Press, New York, pp 141-167.
Svanikier J.O., 2007, “Political Elite Circulation: Implications for Leadership Diversity and Democratic Regime Stability in Ghana”, Comparative Sociology, 6, pp. 114–135.
Van Hear, N., ed 1998, New Diasporas: The Mass Exodus, Dispersal Comparative and Regrouping of Migrant, Communities, London, UCL Press, pp. 55-75.
World Bank 2007, “Global Economic Prospects 2007: “Managing the Next Wave of Globalization”, World Bank, Washington, DC pp. 15-21.