By Stanley Senya
Accra, July 24, GNA – Africa Mobility Scholars Association (AMSA) has been launched in Accra to contribute to a balanced and nuanced discussion on global and Africa-centred mobility issues.
Speaking at the launch, Professor Leander Kandilige, Director of AMSA said, the Association served as an umbrella that brings together all academic scholars in the migration space to harness the inter and intra migration for economic growth.
He said AMSA is more than migration, therefore it seeks to harness the potential that resides in migration towards socioeconomic development of nation states.
Professor Kandilige said the Association included scholars and practitioners and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) who worked towards the development of the country but were not appreciated.
He said the Association thrived to promote a collective thinking for national development agenda, therefore the launch of the Association served as a springboard for scholars to rally around the issues of migration.
“We must move away from seeing migration as a negative act, but have a balanced conversation on how to harness the benefits whiles being mindful of the potential dangers that reside within the migration space”, he added.
The Director said the Association was looking forward to working with different stakeholders to achieve it aims.
The launch was on the theme: “Advancing Development Through Mobility Scholarship”.
The Comptroller General of the Ghana Immigration Service, Mr Kwame Asuah Takyi, who was the guest speaker of the event said, AMSA must advocate enforcement of policy change and implementation to enhance transparency in immigration as a positive impact on country development.
He entreated the executives to partner institutions and build a strong network for vibrant support which would aid in rendering effective decisions.
He said they must remember that the goal was to move the nation forward for sustainable development, adding, that with the right policies in place the organisation could harness mobility across Africa
The Comptroller General said free movement of goods and persons were good but must be done diligently, laying emphasis on the 2024 elections.
“AMSA will serve as a vibrant network for researchers as African mobility is concern”, he added.
The Association was encouraged to leverage intra regional migration and enhance them, collaborate with existing network associations to improve and work together for a drastic change in migration patterns across Africa.
GNA