Rev. Joyce Aryee has called on mining companies operating in Ghana to rethink the traditional concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and adopt deeper, long-term partnerships with host communities to ensure sustainable development. She made the call during an engagement with fellows of the Africa Extractive Media Fellowship in Accra.
Addressing participants, the former Chief Executive of the Ghana Chamber of Mines stressed that mining must be understood not only as an economic activity but as a responsibility toward people and the planet. According to her, resource extraction “must exist,” but it must be done with a clear commitment to safeguarding communities and future generations.
“Life is about managing resources,” she noted. “Of course, life is first about people, and it’s about the planet because whatever we get to use is from the planet. People must benefit—not only today but for generations to come.”
Rev. Aryee emphasised that mining already plays a significant role in Ghana’s economy, citing its contribution of over 80 percent to Ghana’s GDP in the second quarter of 2025. However, she warned that economic gains must not overshadow the need to protect land rights, livelihoods, and the environment. “Every mining activity will compete with other uses for land,” she said. “So we need to really draw the balance.”
Central to her message was the call for mining companies to move “beyond CSR” toward deeper collaboration with communities. She argued that CSR alone is not enough to build trust, resolve conflicts or address long-term development needs. “There is a certain partnership that mining companies ought to have with their communities,” she said. “Not just CSR, not just charity, but true partnership.”
She further urged ethical and inclusive leadership in the sector, adding that women have a critical role to play in driving accountability and responsible mining practices.
Rev. Aryee concluded with a call to action: “There is so much more we can do for this country to benefit from the resources we have, and we must talk about it boldly and solve problems.”
By: Dennis Osei Gyamfi
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