Mary Boatemaa Setrana is a lecturer at the Centre for Migration Studies, University of Ghana, Legon, in Accra, Ghana. Her PhD in Migration Studies was a sandwich programme between Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands, and the University of Ghana. She is also part of the Brown International Advanced Research Institute Alumni; ILO International Training Centre Alumni, Turin, Italy; Oikos Young Professionals Academy, Switzerland; as well as the African Studies Centre and CERES, both in the Netherlands. Her research interests include migration and ethnic conflict, qualitative research methods, peace and conflict, democracy, diaspora, and homeland politics. She has published in both local and international journals, including “Do Transnational Links Matter? Labour Market Participation of Ghanaian Return Migrants” in the Journal of Development Studies; and “L’engagement politique de la diaspora ghanéenne aux Pays-Bas,” in Afrique Contemporaine.
Award Information
Studies have shown that second generation migrants are better integrated in the host country because they speak the host country language, associate with the natives in schools and may even have better education than their migrant parents (Crul, 2005; Van Ours & Veenaman, 2003). Second generation migrants are critical agents in promoting homeland politics and peace-building while others inherit their parents' animals and continue the family livelihood as pastoralists (Freitas, 2012; Tonah, 2005; Water-Bayers and Bayers, 1994).This notwithstanding, empirical evidence on how these characteristics and experiences of second generation migrants contribute either positively or negatively to farmer-herder conflict at destination areas is unknown and therefore calls for academic and policy attention. The study answers two main questions; 1) What characteristics do second generation pastoral migrants have and how do these shape farmer-herder relationships in the host communities? 2) Do second generation pastoral migrants shape and redefine the root causes of farmer-herder conflict and what are the implications for conflict prevention and transformation? The study will take place in five communities, namely, Yeji and the surrounding smaller communities- Kwayease, Kadue, Ajantriwa and Kudua, in the Atebubu, Pru and Kintampo Districts. In-depth interviews will be conducted with 17 Fulani pastoral migrant households and 17 indigenous farmer households. 10 Key informant and expert interviews will be held with individuals and relevant local and national institutions. I will conduct 12 focus group discussions in 3 out of 5 selected communities based on gender, age and generation of the migrant. I will analyse the data with the guide of the interview contents and literature by identifying themes and sub-themes on the characteristics, causes, prevention and transformation of farmer-herder conflict. I will write-up my findings for publications and attend international conferences.
