Evaluation of corporate social responsibilities of mining companies in the Wassa – West district

Abstract

This study seeks to evaluate the mining companies in Wassa West District’s social responsibilities from the community members and other stakeholders’ perspective. The specific objectives included the identification of the approaches the mining companies are using to respond to the call for Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR), the mining companies’ contribution to host communities’ health care system, educational development, employment and how stakeholders view the sustainability of host communities in the event of mine closure. The research was based on voluntary contribution aspect of CSR. A case study design was adopted for the study. Interviews were conducted on the mining companies whilst the community members and other stakeholders were surveyed using five point likert scale questionnaires to obtain data responses regarding mining companies’ social performances. Frequencies and percentages were calculated using SPSS software and transcription from interviews responses to describe the data collected and to answer the research questions. It was found from the stakeholders’ perspective that mining companies are not using social contribution approach to CSR. Community members are not satisfied with the contribution of mining companies towards their health care, educational development and employment except scholarship awards and alternative livelihood projects for host communities. Communities cannot stand the test of sustainability during mine closure. It has been recommended that mining companies should do more in terms of health care delivery, educational development and employment creation for their host community members.