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ABSTRACT
Transnational approaches have led to conceptualisations of migration as a phenomenon that is embedded within globalisation processes. Overwhelmingly, emphasis is placed on the transnational connections migrants maintain with their relatives. Technological advancements have facilitated sustained communication, remittance transfers and return visits between migrants and their relatives. However, the role of shipping companies, as transnational actors based in destination countries with partners in origin countries, that help migrants and their relatives to co-create/maintain their livelihoods has been overlooked. Drawing on data from Ghanaian migrants in the UK who send in-kind remittances, their relatives in Ghana who receive in-kind remittances, Ghanaian migrant-owned shipping businesses in the UK and their partners in Ghana, this paper fills that gap in the literature by discussing the operation of ‘door-to-door’ shipping businesses as a type of crucial transnational migrant entrepreneurship that empowers migrants from the 'Global South' and their relatives to overcome transnational livelihood making challenges.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Notes
1 The research team consisted of the authors, research colleagues and research assistants from the Centre for Migration Studies, University of Ghana.
2 A classic example unearthed by our research is the case of the UK police (upon a tip off) invading the offices of a ‘door-to-door' company to investigate the shipment of so-called baby foods to Ghana. Upon inspection, it was discovered that each tin container was filled to the brim with Fifty Pound Sterling bank notes.