Ghana Gold Expo Foundation, in collaboration with Oxford University, has organised a Corporate Social Responsibility Workshop in Takoradi.
The workshop brought together international and national leaders in the mining sector, governmental and mine company representatives, non-governmental organisations, local community leaders and academics from both Ghana and the University of Oxford.
It focused on CSR in the mining sector, investment agreements between government and mining companies and the use of royalty funds, encompassing the themes of stakeholder engagement, human rights, reporting and impact assessment.
Also, it assessed the extent to which current CSR programmes and mechanisms are meeting the promise of these policies.
Executive Director of Ghana Gold Expo Foundation, Dr. Steven Blessing Ackah, speaking at the workshop noted that in Ghana the CSR impact assessment by major mining companies has key policies which ensure the fulfillment of pledges by mining companies in areas including: education, governance, health, infrastructural development (roads, housing, lighting) conservation and sanitation, capacity building, and women’s empowerment as well as agriculture.
“This cooperation with the University of Oxford is very crucial, and has come at the right time as mining activities are the bedrock of our society, a requisite for Ghana’s development; and also the need to have the national framework on CSR impact and reporting on host communities,” he said.
Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, Western Regional Minster, said to achieve the mining sector’s potential for the benefit of Ghanaians, CSR plays a major role in sustainable development.
However, he noted there is a broad perception that the impact of mining at the local level can be significantly improved.
“It is therefore the commitment of government to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure transparency and accountability in CSR work,” he said.
He observed that most mining companies are gradually establishing community development funds to finance their CSR initiatives and programmes. For example, some mining companies offer US$1 for each ounce of gold produced and other royalties that benefit the communities.
Mr. Darko-Mensah pointed out that gold mining communities in the Western Region of Ghana have experienced the destruction of vegetation, water pollution, and soil contamination by activities of mining, due rapid growth and dependency on the mining of natural resources within the catchment areas of mining activities.
“These circumstances – with repercussions from illegal exploitation and inefficient management of corporate social responsibility – place organisational goals above the community and the nation. I therefore invite all stakeholders to assist in the various reclamation and conservation programmes within these areas,” he added.
Prof. Miles Larmar, Director of African Studies Centre at the Oxford University, noted that one of the major ways of ensuring optimal benefit from mineral resources on the African continent is through CSR.
“We are here to learn about practicing CSR as well as find ways to influence and encourage good CSR. Aside from paying taxes and royalties, there should be a focus on supporting the communities that produce the gold,” he said.
Dr. Sulemanu Koney, Chief Executive Officer-Ghana Chamber of Mines, called on government to exclude mining communities from capping mineral royalty funds for development; and ensure a quick release of royalties meant for mining communities’ development projects.
“Mining companies are committed in their support to mining communities’ development through their numerous Corporate Social Investment (CSI) projects; it requires government to also invest in the communities some of what it takes from the mine,” he said.
In a presentation on Gold Fields Ghana Foundation’s CSR programme, Community Affairs Manager of the Damang Mine, Mr. Abdel Razak Yakubu, stressed the impacts made in education, health care delivery and sports.
“Our scholarship programme has sponsored more than 2,400 students and produced medical doctors, teachers and miners as well as other professionals. We are delighted to have a past scholarship beneficiary who is now a doctor, and comes back to the community to assist during our medical outreach,” he said.
