West Africa's patterns of migration in pre-colonial and early post-colonial times were
predominantly internal and regional from landlocked Sahelian countries to relatively
prosperous mines plantations and coastal cities. This was very significant in ensuring quality
brain and skills circulation in the region. Out-migration to Europe despite the numerous
benefits that come along with it remains a huge problem for the region and very worrisome to
policy makers. As the previous significant brain and skills circulation that existed in the
region has shifted to Europe it paralysed its human and socioeconomic development efforts. On
the other hand it is a huge and an unbearable burden on the social welfare system and job
market of Europe. Considering the problematic and worrisome nature of unskilled semi-skilled
and professional youth migration this study is set to search for its determinants. The
findings are intended for a better and more informed policy formulation. Assuming that at the
beginning of the 21st Century West Africa's migratory trends to Europe have changed from
predominantly regular to alarmingly irregular and clandestine this research also investigates
the motivations behind this trend. The focus of this study is the migration flow from West
Africa to Europe using Ghana as a case study.
