Role of Corporate Social Responsibilities in Promoting Sanitation in Ghana. A Case Study of Volta River Authority

Abstract

This study sought to examine the role of Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) in promoting sanitation in Ghana using Volta River Authority (VRA) as case study. Other objectives of the study were to; explore the areas of sanitation that needs CSR interventions; determine the benefits of CSR interventions in sanitation and to analyze the challenges organisations face when carrying out CSR interventions. The study adopted the case study approach and was purely qualitative in nature. The population of the study was all employees of Volta River Authority (VRA). Six senior executives at the Volta River Authority (VRA) were sampled out for the study. Purposive sampling was used in this investigation. An interview guide was used as the data collection instrument. Overall, following the rules of CSR may lead to a higher standard of living of people surrounding the socially responsible business. Therefore, the good of the business and the well-being of the society should not be put against one another. In conclusion, VRA’s involvement in sanitation practices within the community has greatly benefited the communities involved and has brought about improvements in the sanitation practices of those communities. The researcher recommended that institutions should partner with other institutions that offer varying services to jointly invest in common socially responsible activities as doing so leads to cost reduction while achieving similar goals. Telecommunication industries can partner with financial institutions, manufacturing industries, academic institutions or hospitals to spearhead similar CSR objectives. Also, it was recommended that stakeholders’ views be considered regarding the nature of CSR activities to be undertaken. Stakeholders have vital information on what the society needs and what will make them associate with a brand name.