Evaluating the Impact of Strategic Sustainable Orientation and Socioeconomic Policies on the Mining Sector in Ghana
Volume 04 Issue 1
Authors
Charles Randy Afful, Aloysius Sabog, Matthew Amoako
Keywords
community satisfaction, local content policy, mining sector, socioeconomic, stakeholder theory, sustainable orientation
Citation in APA style
Afful, Ch. R., Sabog, A. & Amoako, M. (2026). Evaluating the Impact of Strategic Sustainable Orientation and Socioeconomic Policies on the Mining Sector in Ghana. Journal of Business Sectors, 4(1), 43–56. https://doi.org/10.62222/YEBO6947
DOI
Abstract
Research background:
The ongoing environmental and socio-economic impacts of mining activities have undermined community acceptance of mining firms. Long-term dissatisfaction with firms’ operations has contributed to illegal practices and to demands for benefits beyond those provided through corporate social responsibility initiatives. As stakeholder pressure for responsible mining increases, firms are increasingly expected to implement sustainable and socio-economic measures that promote the development of host communities and enhance community satisfaction.
Purpose of the article:
This study investigates the effects of strategic sustainable orientation and socio-economic factors on community satisfaction with mining in Ghana. Drawing on local content policy theory and stakeholder theory, the study employs partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to address prevailing misconceptions in this area.
Methods:
The study adopted a quantitative design and collected data from 232 community members using closed-ended questionnaires. Respondents were selected through purposive sampling, and questionnaires were administered via personal contacts. The data were analysed using PLS-SEM. Measurement quality was assessed using reliability and validity indicators, multicollinearity diagnostics, discriminant validity, and the Fornell–Larcker criterion.
Findings & Value added:
The results indicate that community satisfaction depends significantly on mining firms’ strategic sustainable orientation practices and the socio-economic policies they implement. In addition, socio-economic factors mediate the relationship between sustainable orientation and community satisfaction. Finally, the findings suggest that, to address research and empirical gaps in Ghana’s mining sector, firms should enhance community satisfaction by implementing sustainability-oriented practices and socio-economic policies. This study contributes to the literature on mining in Africa, and its implications may be generalisable to other mining contexts.