The Impact of Golden Star Wassa Limited (GSWL) Operations on its Catchment Communities
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Date
2012
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Abstract
The study was designed to investigate the impacts of mining on its catchment communities with specific reference to Golden Star (Wassa) Limited operational area. The study covers part of the Mpohor Wassa East District and Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Assembly (Akyempim, Benso, Subriso, Ningo and Mpohor which forms the main operational area of GSWL). The descriptive survey was used for the study with a sample size of 40 people. The data collection instrument was questionnaire. Data collected was processed using the Statistical Product for Service Solutions (SPSS).Findings of the assessment indicate that, most GSWL communities have benefited in diverse ways from the company. It was established that, GSWL has a community relation’s policy which shows the company’s commitment in meeting its corporate social responsibilities. Specific benefits identified during the study include the construction and regular maintenance of access roads, employment for the youth within the area, provision of scholarship for brilliant but needy students, established and implemented alternative livelihood programmes and the provision of skills/vocational training. In addition, social corporate responsibility of the company is evident in the construction of school blocks, clinics and social/community centers. Unlike other mining companies, GSWL has recorded comparatively few community clashes and demonstrations, as a result of being swift in addressing almostall emerging community related issues.It was concluded that GSWL has established and maintained a good relationship with local communities in the mine operational area. It has undoubtedly improved the living standard of the people through the provision of some basic necessities of life as indicated above.
Notwithstanding however, it is recommended that livelihood programmes must be focused on those with readily available markets. Youth training programmes must also be tailored towards specialized skills to be able to address the employment needs of the youth more adequately.
Description
A Thesis submitted to the Institute of Distance Learning, Kwame
Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi in partial fulfillment of
the requirements for the degree of
Commonwealth Executive Masters of Business Administration,