Abstract

Youth migration oin Cameroon is not a new phenomenon. It as old as history. This research examines the phenomenon of youth migration in Cameroon. It investigates the causes and consequences of this unprecedented phenomenon, its pattern and dynamics and finally the options to slow it  down.

The study   explores in-depth, the economic, political, social educational and healthcare sectors of Cameroon considering its vital importance in ensuring and maintaining sustainable economic development and growth. In quest of these goals the author employed a qualitative research method for data collection and analysis. The data for this study were collected through primary and secondary sources.

From the primary data perspective, questionnaires were distributed to randomly selected respondents based in the various corners of the Buea Municipality and some strategic interviews were also adopted in complement. Similarly, the author also made used of published secondary data sources that were of substance to the study in diverse ways including documentary evidence of eye witness reports that were peculiar to this research.

The method of data analysis used in this study is that of thematic analysis which the researcher used to analyze opinions from respondents. On the theoretical note, the author adopted the Neo Classical economic theory and the historical structural theory of migration. The empirical data collected were tested alongside this theory to ascertain the actual causes of international migration and brain drain in Cameroon and the options to slow it down.

The findings affirm that international migration in Cameroon is caused by the push factors (adverse socio-economic conditions prevailing in the country) and pull factors (favorable socio- economic conditions in the western world). Although this theories seems to have aligned with the empirical data on the drivers of youth migration in Cameroon, the author effectively argues that a deeper understanding of youth migration in Cameroon requires another theory other than the mainstream theory mentioned above.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Migration is the movement of a person or people from one country, place of residence, to settle in another. Migration is often taken as a result of many drivers (causes) which makes people to leave their environment to another. These drivers may cause people to move into a country (immigration) or out of the country (migration) (Van Hear et al., 2018,p 928)

Migration is not a new phenomenon. Since history, many people had migrated in search for security, greener pasture or food, better standard of living, just to name a few (Thompson, 2001). The earliest migrants were ancient humans who originated on the African continent. The earliest specie known as homospians were found in different locations in search for greener pastures approximately 200 years ago (Levis, 1995).

Overtime, people move because they had to , wanted to, were allowed to, or were force to . They were driven out by poverty or saw better economic opportunity elsewhere. They were seeking adventure, luck, love, a family and freedom, or they fled repression, war, persecution and disaster. Motives for moving have been the same throughout history.

Frequently, reason to moves overlapped, people fled but they directed their steps toward a country that offered both freedom and economic opportunities. Currently, there is attention for climate refugees, people who move because of drought, flood, or other environmental disasters.

However, also that migration is not new. In April 1815 mount Tambora in Indonesia erupted and a veil of volcanic dust wrapped around the Earth blocking the sun in 1816, 1817 and 1818. It led to three year without a summer and floods, drought, storms, the spread of disease and failed crops thousands of kilometers away from the eruption site to escape poverty and hunger forces people to migrate (D”Archy wood 2016)

Many individuals had migrated out of choice while others had migrated out of necessity (Tagbon, 2022). Migration has long been characterized and complicated by war, enslavement and persecution. The Jews fled their ancestral land after wave of exile and the destruction oif Jerusalem in 7ooAD creating a wide spread diaspora.

At least 12 million Africans were enslaved and forced to relocate to America during the trans-Atlantic slave trade between 1500 and 1860s. In the aftermath of the world war two 1945, many people were displaced through migration.

Furthermore, in the 21st century, migration has been driven by famine, natural disasters and human right abuse beginning in 2013, migrants from North Africa and the Middle east began mg to move in increasingly larger number into Europe, seeking to escape poverty and political instability in their home land. The migrant crisis stressed European resource thin, fueling xenophobia and frustration even in welcoming states. And hundreds of thousands of Rohingya people have been forces to migrant in Bangadesh from Myanmar despite the centuries of history in their home land ( Hear et al, 2019)

Meanwhile Cameroon, especially Buea (a town in the south west region of the territory), have experienced and it is still experiencing an increasing number of youths traveling out of the country both voluntary and involuntarily. Even though significant effort shave been made by the government to regulate and to limit the degree of the youths going out of the country in search for greener pasture, yet the number of youths leaving the country each day keeps increasing the more.

Many had long blamed the government of Cameroon for not being able to provide jobs for graduates whereas others have put forth the view that youths are supposed to stay and create jobs for themselves and even contribute in nation building ( Jerin, 2006)

These argument has made the state of Cameroon as well as many other African States governments to create measures regulating emigration off the territory so as to avoid a floodgate of emigration

In the early 1995, the Cameroon government did not foresee a greater percentage of youths moving out of the country for greener pasture abroad (Fugus, 2000). Knowing now the consequences of people leaving a country in a geometric rate, the government has built many universities, encourage agriculture, encourage entrepreneurial trainings, provide jobs for the youths and many other opportunities. The government has taken upon itself the obligation to keep youths in the territory. However this research aims at examining the effectiveness of the state’s efforts in limiting emigration on youths from the territory (Flaviso, 2005).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Migration in Cameroon especially emigration umber of youths have increased over the past 20years in contrast to European countries. This is justified by the high number of youths who are registered at the embassy on their way out of the country. According to surveys conducted by local NGOs such as the Pan African Institute for Development West Africa (PAID WA), Center for the Environment and Development (CED), and Center for Education, Training and Support to Development Initiative in Cameroon (CEFAID) in the territory, not less than 100 youths leave the territory every blessed day to go abroad in search for greener pasture.

In spite of several attempts made by the government to combat these experiences, yet the number of emigrants keeps increasing more and more as the day goes by. Much blames are levied on the government for failing to provide mechanisms to keep the youths within the territory. Some sees emigration of youths as a break through whereas; some sees it as a threat to nation building. Even the scholars of migration has mostly centered their writings on the general perspective and little or no concentration or focus had been given to the Cameroon youths.

More doubt therefore arises as to whether the emigration of youths would improve the economy in future or not. The most shocking of it all is that the Cameroon emigrants prefer to die risking their lives just to enter the white man land rather than staying in their own home country. This has really raise a problem as to how to build a better Cameroon in the nearest future; considering the fact that youths are the back bone to nation building.

The government efforts are seen not appropriate enough by many to stay in the country. Thus, this research will investigate the effectiveness of the state’s efforts in limiting emigration of youths from the territory.

1.3 Research Question

This work is guided by the a main research question and three specific research question

1.3.1 Main research question

How effective are the efforts of the Cameroon government in combating emigration in Cameroon across borders?

1.3.2    Specific Research Questions

1. What are the causes of youth’s emigration from Cameroon?
2. What is the implication (consequences) of international emigration on the Cameroon territory?
3. What policy recommendations may be advanced to enable the youths to stay in Cameroon and participate in nation-building?

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