Michael Edem Akafia
President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Michael Edem Akafia, has emphasized that mining companies’ commitments to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability are most effective when pursued voluntarily rather than imposed through legislation.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with ghextractives.com on the sidelines of the 18th West African Mining and Power Exhibition (WAMPEX), Mr. Akafia explained that attempts by some jurisdictions to legislate compulsory CSR contributions had backfired, reducing genuine impact.
He cited Burkina Faso’s experience as an example, noting that once CSR obligations were legislated, companies treated them as legal requirements rather than as part of a broader social license to operate. “When companies feel they have fulfilled a statutory obligation, they often do not go beyond the minimum. But when it is voluntary, we go further because we see it as a moral and operational obligation,” he said.
According to him, Ghana’s mining companies view their “social license to operate” as the most important license—one that underpins every other regulatory approval. This, he stressed, drives companies to invest meaningfully in host communities through education, healthcare, infrastructure, and livelihood support.
Mr. Akafia added that Ghana’s mining firms are not only accountable to local stakeholders but also benchmark themselves against global sustainability standards such as the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Unlike other sectors where companies compete for market share, he explained, mining companies collaborate locally but compete internationally on sustainability performance.
“Where we compete is on who can do the most tangible things to demonstrate responsible mining. Our efforts are audited and independently validated, so they go beyond tokenism or whitewashing,” he noted.
He further pointed out that the industry has evolved significantly over the years, becoming more transparent, socially conscious, and aligned with global governance and environmental standards. This, he said, reflects the sector’s acknowledgment of rising community expectations and the need to create lasting value in Ghana’s mining regions.
The Ghana Chamber of Mines, which is nearly a century old, continues to champion sustainable and inclusive mining practices that balance profitability with long-term socio-economic and environmental impact.
