Reintegrating Ghanaian migrant workers returning from Gulf Cooperation countries (GCC): Community support services for mental health and educational needs

This study examines the challenges faced by Ghanaian migrants returning from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, focusing on mental health outcomes, social reintegration, and educational needs. Using a phenomenological ethnographic approach, 21 in-depth interviews were conducted in Ghana’s Birim Central Municipality to capture the lived realities of returnees aged 22–43. Participants reported diverse stressors including unemployment, exploitation by middlemen, unfulfilled migratory expectations, societal stigma, and gendered pressure. Many struggled with mental health issues and relationship breakdowns, compounded by reintegration challenges. These findings underscore the urgent need for holistic community-driven reintegration programs that address mental health, economic opportunities, and social resilience. This study contributes to the broader discourse on migration by uniquely exploring the interplay between cultural stigma, economic barriers, and the reintegration needs of returnees, thus offering actionable insights into policies and programs.