JOURNALS

ABSTRACT

Migration is an expression of the human aspiration for dignity, safety and a better future. It is part of the social fabric, part of our very make-up as a human family. Human mobility has long been considered an essential strategy for improving individual wellbeing. Migration is a continuous process that has been the subject of political debate worldwide. Migration has shown an unbroken upward trend, be it of people who have left their homelands voluntarily for economic or other reasons, or of those who have been forced to leave their homes (refugees, displaced persons, etc.). Managing human mobility is one of the greatest challenges for destination countries worldwide, in developed and developing countries. Migration across the globe has become a pertinent issue that many countries are trying to understand and manage effectively. In Africa, migration is now in the forefront of political discussions, especially in those countries where people have been displaced through conflict or climatic change, or where people move in search of economic and social opportunities that do not exist in their countries of origin. The aim of this paper is to deconstruct the elements of applicable effect of migration in African Philosophy, religion and culture with a view to demonstrating their implications as well as their social relevance. This is done through a phenomenological–hermeneutical study. Well-managed migration can yield benefits to both countries of origin and destination especially in terms of labour migration, which can offset labour shortages in destination countries, and generate remittances targeted towards national development in the countries of origin. However, many African countries have had challenges in managing migration issues owing to poor collection and management of data; lack of capacity to handle migration issues as well as limited knowledge about migration-related issues.