The Ghana Chamber of Mines has cautioned the government against legislating corporate social responsibility (CSR) for the mining sector, arguing that compulsory measures could backfire and stifle investment.
Speaking in an interview with the High Street Journal, Michael Akafia, President of the Chamber and Vice President for External Affairs at Gold Fields West Africa, said CSR has traditionally been voluntary, allowing companies and communities to collaborate on development initiatives tailored to local needs.
“Mandating CSR risks turning a constructive, voluntary practice into a regulatory burden,” Akafia said. “If you legislate it, companies may only do the minimum required and avoid further engagement, which undermines the very purpose of CSR.”
Akafia pointed to experiences in other West African countries, noting that legal compulsion often leads to compliance-focused approaches rather than genuine community development. He emphasized that voluntary structures, when well-designed and consultative, have proven effective in ensuring that host communities benefit from mining activities while companies maintain operational flexibility.
The Chamber’s comments come amid government proposals to formalize CSR obligations within the Minerals and Mining Law. Akafia said that such a move could inadvertently add costs to new projects, especially for companies still in the early stages of development, potentially delaying or deterring investment.
He called for continued dialogue between regulators, mining companies, and local communities to strengthen CSR frameworks, stressing that well-managed voluntary programs can achieve both social impact and sustainable mining operations.
