Summary of DialogueON Corporate Social Responsibility
Our DialogueON event on ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ drew our highest attendance and opened diverse discussions on the ethics of business practices. We were joined by two keynote speakers; David K. Awusi and Abiola l. Agnontcheme, who reflected on company accountability towards communities and the environment.
David centred his dialogue on how businesses may build a stronger sense of social acceptance. A significant concern raised is that greenwashing is a facade of environmental responsibility without substantive action. Using the case of pineapple production in Ghana, David remarks how the industry is tainted by child labour. This example highlights the broader necessity for businesses to understand their impact on people, profit and the planet.
Abiola’s dialogue stressed the importance of initiatives like Africa 50, which focus on sustainable business models and prioritise climate projects, particularly in promoting affordable and clean energy. The need for making CSR and ESG goals measurable was also considered as the issue of company tax evasion calls on the need to tackle corruption as a critical step towards social responsibility.
The dialogue followed with a series of discussion questions to all participants, who expressed the view that we should empower communities to hold businesses accountable. Grassroots initiatives were brought up, like David’s ‘Speak Up’ project that aims to educate young people to become citizen journalists, enabling them to report on corruption by using visual and auditory evidence. This is vital for pressuring companies to be more transparent and responsible.
The event concluded with a call to action, emphasising the use of boycotts and social media to mobilise public opinion and expose companies engaging in unethical practices. The overarching message was clear: CSR is a shared responsibility, requiring collective efforts to drive meaningful change.
~Sophie Kumar
