Crime Victimization, Immigrants, and Public Opinion in Ghana: A Micro-level Analysis

Abstract

AbstractThis study investigated the impact of crime victimization and nationalism on public attitudes towards immigrants in Ghana. Using a nationally representative sample of 2,400 Ghanaians collected between 2016 and 2018, this study examined the effects of theft, physical assault, armed robbery, and nationalism on public acceptance and willingness to coexist with immigrants. The findings indicate that crime victimization has a limited influence on the public acceptance of immigrants in Ghana, while a positive correlation is observed between nationalism, defined as a strong attachment to Ghana, and acceptance of immigrants. Moreover, a positive correlation was observed between nationalism, defined as a strong attachment to Ghana, and acceptance of immigrants. The study also finds evidence supporting the demographic hypothesis, suggesting that the demographic factors of the general public affect the perceptions of immigrants. The significance of this study lies in its contribution to the limited empirical research on public attitudes towards immigrants in Ghana and the broader literature on this topic from a global-south perspective. The findings can inform the development of practical immigration policies that promote Ghana as a migrant-friendly nation, while safeguarding the interests of its citizens. This study highlights the need for further investigation into the relationship between crime, victimization, and immigration in Ghana and other African countries.