‘‘Ogya’’ Syndrome: Exploring Impacts of Ghanaians' Admiration for International Migration on Sustainable Economic Development

Abstract

‘‘Ogya’’ syndrome jargon is a synonym for international migration. The study examines the impact of Ogya syndrome on Ghana’s sustainable economic development to determine whether it has positive or negative effects on the economy. The study is grounded in Haas’ structural functionalism theory and relates the topic in practical terms, which makes this study distinct from existing research. The paper employs a literature review method, also known as a ‘meta-study’. The study’s findings reveal that Ogya syndrome enhances significant benefits to Ghana’s economic development through rewards and remittances sent into the country, Ghanaian migrants upskill themselves, and on migrants' return, they transfer knowledge acquired internationally to nonmigrants. Further, migrants undertake investments, developmental projects, and entrepreneurship ventures in Ghana’s economy, which have positive impacts on economic development. The negative findings reveal brain drain, remittances’ high dependency, and social impacts (loved ones’ separation and divorce). The paper argues that good government of Ghana’s (GoG) foreign policies will attract international migrants to contribute to sustainable economic development, whereas bad foreign policies will push them away. Therefore, effective foreign policies must be developed with strategies to harness the positive effects of international migration. However, negative effects such as brain drain and dependency need management and social intervention policies to curb them. The paper recommends good governance, stewardship, probity and accountability from all institutions. Further, Ghanaian immigrants’ remittances, investments into businesses, and other developmental projects should be charged less tax to encourage Ghanaian Diaspora’s remittances flow and migrants' return to contribute to economic growth and development.