From Ghana to Fortress Europe:

This work examines the interplay between irregular migration and human rights, with specific reference to different phases of the migration cycle. Most academic migration studies on Ghana are based on the semi-skilled and high-skilled regular migrants; which focuses on economic development of the country (Kleist 2011, 5; 8-11). This work therefore brings to light the significance of the experiences of that category of semiskilled and unskilled irregular migrants who take to the Sahara Desert and crossing of the Mediterranean Sea. The analyses encompasses how violations of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR) of people push them to migrate, the violations of both Civil and Political Rights (CPR) and ESCR that accompany the unregulated movement of irregular migrants. After providing the legal, social and political framework of migration from Ghana to the EU, based on elite interviews, the paper presents original qualitative analyses of interviews of irregular migrants experiencing different situations, namely returned migrants to Ghana; irregular migrants settled in transit countries like Libya, and irregular migrants settled in countries of destinations like Italy.