Corporate Social Responsibility in Ghana

In many parts of Ghana, communities, state agencies and other organisations lie in wait for some support from firms. But the moral obligation to attend to these basic needs of all these organisations does not in itself say much of about how such an obligation should be discharged or whether it can be achieved and over what time period. The boundary-less nature of CSR whilst creating that altruistic tendency has also left in its wake a dependence syndrome which when unmanaged effectively often attenuates the whole concept, leading to misunderstandings and often bad relationships. The chapter explores this aspect of CSR that is less debated or is very much under-researched. It focuses on Ghana, where community members and other stakeholders make excessive and incessant demands on firms operating within their vicinities. It provides an insight into how these pressures are creating unpleasant situations for firms. The role, responsibilities, and actions of firms in relation to these beneficiaries are furthermore reflected upon, and finally, the chapter offers a way forward as to what can be done in addressing the issue.