Ghanaian migrant women in Finland and distance mothering

Recently, I wrote about how Ghanaian migrants living in Finland generally pursue their wellbeing. I outlined the many ways in which they pursue and enhance their wellbeing.

I have also been thinking about the phenomenon of Ghanaian mi­grant mothers here in Finland and how they are mothering their chil­dren left behind at home in Ghana.

Research indicates that in mi­gration, family structures back in the home country usually provide a unique platform for the fulfilment of mothering responsibilities across international borders.

Strategies and resources

Ghanaian migrant mothers resort to various strategies, including how to financially support themselves and their families, both in Finland and Ghana. That is, they use re­sources that are available in order to fulfil their parenting responsibil­ities.

As I wrote some time ago, many Ghanaian migrants in Finland have acquired huge expertise, knowledge and resources (academically, economically, technically or technologically, etc.).

Many of them, like other migrants in Finland, who may have been professionals and highly ed­ucated in their original coun­tries find them­selves working as cleaners, waitresses and bouncers at restaurants and pubs, consid­ered to be low paid jobs.

Demeaning as this may suggest, they are nevertheless happy to find a source of income in order to survive and be able to send some support to their relatives and to cater for their children in Ghana.

Guardianship and fostering

Usually, Ghanaian migrant mothers who have left their children back home in Ghana may not have to worry much about getting someone to care for the children. This is because of the culture and tendency for kin members to live in households with ex­tended family mem­bers.

Guardianship or the fostering of young rel­atives is very common and shows the shar­ing of responsibilities and the encompassing nature of families in Ghana. Women (and also men) usually live with and are the guardians of a sister’s or brother’s child with ease, and is often done voluntarily.

Fostering is usually without much difficulty and is based on the con ­sent of the parents of the child. Ideally, kin members foster children in the larger family, although in some circumstances children from poor homes can be fostered by strangers.

For the Ghanaian migrant moth­ers in Finland who have children back home in Ghana, there is much at stake. They are actively engaged in supporting their children’s lives back home, such as meeting their needs in education, healthcare, etc.

A major say in children’s lives

Even though the children are lucky to live with relatives in Gha­na, their parents abroad, particu­larly the mothers, have major say in the lives of the children.

I remember some time ago when a lady friend here in Helsinki requested my help to find a place in Winneba for her son who had gained admission to go to the uni­versity.

From the discussions we had, I could see she was in total control of affairs of the son. It was not only that she released the funds for the son’s fees and upkeep. She also dis­cussed the major part of the son’s education directly with the young man.

Why children can’t join them

You may ask why mothers leave their children behind instead of taking them along.

A number of reasons have been identified. Research on African migrant mothers in some parts of Europe has shown that some moth­ers leave their children behind so that the children would receive culturally appropriate education in the home country.

Other mothers have no other option than to leave their children behind because they may not have been able to secure them travel permits.

Struggles and the way forward

The Ghanaian migrant mothers face struggles as they balance work, their own wellbeing and mothering from a distance.

They admit that it can put pres­sure on them and feelings of guilt and regret for being spatially ab­sent from their children.

All the same, the efforts by the Ghanaian migrant mothers to en­sure effective mothering of their children from a distance indicates their ability to ensure their wellbe­ing as well as good parenting. They are determined to push forward and achieve the best results.

Thank you!

By Perpetual Crentsil

Email: perpetualcrentsil@yahoo.com