Why does Ghana stand on this grey area?

International Companies and Corporate Social Responsibility: -

The developed countries are smart enough to work a way around ensuring those local and international businesses or companies make contributions towards community development. Take Sainsbury’s and Tesco for example they have contributed towards every community they operate. In contrast, however in Africa the key people within the community are just contented to accept a bottle of Scottish Whiskey or Schnapps or local spirit over a business deal. Jennifer A. Zerk has research about, The ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ (‘CSR’) movement and I would share some aspects. She described (CSR) as one of the most important social movements of our time. Her book looks at what the CSR movement means for multinationals, for states and for international law. She highlights that; International law is often criticised for being too ‘state-centred’, and ill equipped to deal with the challenges of globalisation. However, as she draws from many and varied examples of state, NGO and corporate practice, this book argues that, while international law has its limitations, it presents more opportunities for the CSR regulation of multinationals than many people assume. The main obstacles she reports is to better regulation are, therefore, not legal, but political. Jennifer highlights that this is an essential reading for anyone who wants to understand how international law works and how it can be used to further international CSR objectives.

This is a brief about JENNIFER A. ZERK. She was admitted as a solicitor in Australia in 1991 and in England and Wales in 1993. She holds law degrees from the University of Adelaide and the University of London, and a PhD in law from the University of Cambridge. Formerly an energy law specialist with a major London firm, she now works as an independent researcher and consultant, advising on the legal and regulatory aspects of ‘corporate social responsibility’. Though I’m not promoting her book, I do honestly think that we all could learn a thing or two from her experiences.

Ghana needs to get a grip of how best our laws would work for us if we involve businesses co-operation into helping with our community developments.

We need to be assertive as a nation to start asking ourselves questions like, “ Why so many international companies are flooding into Ghana” and “What is in this deal for our motherland”. We need to raise these vital questions about the future governance and regulation of all businesses throughout our nation. Ghana may need a new code of conduct, laws and regulations and multi-stakeholder agreements and private voluntary initiatives as new businesses are beginning to emerge into our system. We need to see the significance for this foresight to be smart and articulate. The community must be assertive to ask the right questions through their local MPs’ Paramount chiefs, DCE etc when they hear of any major business activity. They must ask questions that would help to reshape Ghana into a country where our youths would prefer to stay on and help with our economic recovery. The goal post must work in our favour too. If Ghana were to be smart back in 1940’s we could have got UTC, Kingsway, GNTC to build libraries in every city, town and villages they operated. Well, they have left us now and what have we got to remember their huge profits they made on our lands nothing just “happy memories” but “bitter after taste”.

The focus we have now is for our Government and various communities to be assertive stop that not laughing. Our Government if not already engaged in this practice may need to consider involving all local businesses and international organisations at their strategic planning. These businesses may also by so doing share some good tips. Learning does not only stop in the classrooms. This would promote economic growth and credibility for businesses and a general sense of well being for our nation. After all would like to see a win/win business deal.

It is about time, every city, town, and village have it’s own proper town centre, a learning resource centre with ICT, covered gutters, public toilets with hand washing basins, recreational parks with benches, well sheltered bus stops, play ground for children in every community integration our botanical gardens, flora and fauna with birds etc. It is only through working in partnership with local and international businesses as an integrated part of our society that we would see any transformation. The secret is let welcome the new business influx, however only if they agree to sign the spotted lines on corporate social responsibility. Ghana needs only good ethical businesses to work in partnership with.

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