Evaluating Stakeholder Participation and Company Responsiveness in Addressing Community Concerns Over the Sustainability of Mining Operations in Ghana: The Case of Ashanti Region

The mining sector remains central to Ghana’s economy, yet large-scale operations in the Ashanti Region have generated persistent tensions between mining firms and host communities. Using a mixed-methods design, this study combines structured surveys (n=74) across four mining communities, namely, Obuasi, Manso Nkwanta, Konongo, and Mpasatia, with semi-structured key informant interviews with seven regulatory bodies. Quantitative data were analysed through frequency distribution and descriptive statistics, qualitative transcripts underwent thematic analysis using NVivo 14 software.
Findings reveal a fundamental disconnect between firms’ stated commitments and community realities. Some 61% of respondents disputed that firms conduct Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), while 82% disputed the implementation of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policies. A core finding is that firms systematically substitute enforceable ESG frameworks, independently audited, legally structured, and tied to long-term accountability, with discretionary Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes that are voluntary, carry no legal enforcement mechanism, and fail to address structured community accountability. This substitution constitutes a governance failure with direct consequences for host communities. Stakeholder engagement is equally deficient, 63% of respondents disagree that structured engagement processes exist, and 71% rate firms as unresponsive to community concerns.
The study concludes that sustainable mining governance in the Ashanti Region requires a decisive and policy-backed shift from voluntary CSR to enforceable ESG commitments, strengthened cross-institutional regulatory oversight, and inclusive stakeholder engagement processes that meaningfully incorporate marginalised groups, particularly women and youth.

Stakeholder engagement, ESG, CSR, Sustainability, EIA, Corporate responsiveness, Mining governance, Ghana, Mixed methods, Ashanti Region

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