Title: Mining conflict prevention in Ghana: is corporate social responsibility the answer?

Authors: Abdul Karim Issifu

Addresses: Institute for Development Studies, University of Cape Coast, P.O. Box 1904, Dansoman-Accra, Ghana

Abstract: Even though corporate social responsibility (CSR) is not obligatory in Ghana, it is highly practiced in recent times by a number of multinational corporations. These multinational corporations, particularly the mining companies use CSR as a stopgap measure against the socio-economic, cultural and environmental challenges emanating from their activities, which has the tendency to trigger violent conflict. The objective of this paper is to examine whether or not CSR is a solution to the potential mining conflicts in Ghana. The integrative theory of CSR which argues that integrating the needs of the mining communities into a corporate policy is relevant for conflict prevention in mining communities was examined. Qualitative research approach and a case study design were used in both the data collection process and analysis.The study revealed that although CSR is voluntary in Ghana without it violent and non-violent conflicts are bound to occur between the mining communities and the mining companies. It is recommended that stakeholders and government agencies should work together for a policy framework on CSR backed by law.

Keywords: corporate social responsibility; CSR; Newmont Ghana Gold Limited; NGGL; conflict prevention; Asutifi North District; Ghana.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCSSR.2017.087796

International Journal of Corporate Strategy and Social Responsibility, 2017 Vol.1 No.3, pp.193 - 207

Received: 20 Jul 2016
Accepted: 14 Feb 2017

Published online: 02 Nov 2017 *

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