An assessment of the corporate social responsibility policies and activities of Golden Star (Wassa) Limited

Abstract

Mining companies in Ghana receive criticism from inter alia the media, civil society organizations, Governments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for not properly responding to the challenge of corporate social responsibility (CSR) to compensate for the negative effects of their activities in host communities. Although some mining companies plan and prosecute CSR policies and projects to improve their public image and increase economic opportunities and improve social welfare of people living in mining communities, these are perceived to be inadequate. This study examined CSR activities undertaken by Golden Star (Wassa) Limited. Using a purposive sampling technique, the researcher sampled 100 respondents and used mixed research methods including observations, administration of questionnaires and conduct of interviews, data on GSWL’s CSR activities in its catchment communities were gathered and analysed. The results were discussed and the study findings were arrived at. It was found that GSWL has CSR policies that shape its social responsibility activities and serve as workable set of criteria for assessing and benchmarking its CSR achievement in its catchment communities. GSWL maintains good relations with the communities it operates in by its CSR activities. However challenges were found to impede the implementation of CSR policies. It is recommended that GSWL’s implementation of CSR policies and projects with the catchment communities should take a wider participatory approach of involving local associations, chiefs, and opinion heads. CSR projects should be carried out by GSWL with the local community to promote collaboration and increase local learning and knowledge transfer.