What approach did you take to studying this issue? During the study tour we interviewed a variety of stakeholders ranging from the goverment, to the Chamber of Mines, to community lobbyists. This provided us with an array of viewpoints and well rounded perspective of the issue.

What was the focus of your investigation? To better understand the role of corporate social responsiblity in the gold mining industry.

What resources or references did you find to be most helpful? *The World Bank- Sub-Saharan Africa: A long Term Perspective Study *Republic of Ghana, Minerals and Mining Act, 2007 (Act 703) *CHRAJ January 2009 Report *Republic of Ghana, Minerals and Mining Act, 2007 (Act 703) *National Geographic, "The Real Price of Gold"

What conclusions have you drawn from your experiences? *The line between government and corporate responsibility is blurry. Who is responsible for constructing schools and providing clean water? *Economic policy was framed by the World Bank in the 1980's and is still heavily influenced by the institution today. *The definition of corporate social responisiblity exists as a continuum with a variety of meanings depending on the stakeholder. *Western companies maintain higher standards of CSR than domestic companies. *A report assembling perspectives from every major stakeholder in the mining industry is needed. Although the CHRAJM report was informative, its unfair representation of the mining companies undermined its credibility. *An impartial body of scientists from an international institution (i.e. WHO) should measure the health and environmental impacts of gold mining on individual communities and on the country as a whole. Additionally, the group should document the source of the pollution- large or small scale miners- and coordinate with think tanks such as Institute for Democratic Governance to prescribe policies and ensure their implementation. *An impartial body should investigate the Environmental Protection Agency and its integrity as an operating government agency. Nearly all major stakeholders, including WACAM, the Chamber of Mines, and Parliament, referenced the EPA's role in regulating mining. Consequently, the agency should be evaluated to ensure it has the capcity to enforce legislation, scientific knowledge to measure health and environmental damage, and the funding and resources to operate efficiently. *The majority of miners are Galamsey, or illegal, small scale workers. The Chamber of Mines claims that they are the source of environmental damage because they are not professionally trained an use mercury liberally. They also sometimes work on large scale mining concessesions and last January struck an electric line and caused a cave in, trapping several legal workers. *Galamsey can be as young as ten years old. People resort to this dangerous career because the job market in Ghana is so scare. *Few people have contested the law that the government owns all the resources below the ground. *The government plays a relatively passive role in the mining industry. It attempts to make Ghana as coducive to investment as possible by minimizing royalties and lowering taxes, which conversely reduces the benefits for Ghana. *Actors in the gold mining industry skirt responsility and channel their energies towards scapegoating other stakeholders, instead of focusing on solutions.

How might this experience fit into your future academic, professional or personal pursuits? This study tour introduced me to Africa and provided a launching pad for my academic career. Not only did I acquire a scholarly understanding of Ghanaian history and politics, but I also was able to experience it personally. I witnessed the presidential run off elections- both the tension and the celebration. Furthermore, I learned that gold is entrenched in Ghana's history, and the prominent mining sector can be traced back to the tribal era. Throughout high school I yearned to be in Africa, but upon my arrival a true irony unveiled itself: in order to make the most impact, I need to be at Tufts recieving an excellent education. In Ghana, I witnessed countless issues that could only be addressed with an understanding of the cultural, economic, historical and political context. This feeling of futility strengthened my resolve to build a strong academic foundation at Tufts so that next time I encounter these problems, I will be equipped with literature and a deeper analytical mindset to solve them.

What process did you use to gather evidence? I approached every meeting with an impartial stance and open mind. If possible, I prepared myself by reading information on the subject beforehand. During the meeting, I generally tried to ask open ended questions even if I thought I knew the answer to ensure I received a natural answer. After each meeting I cross checked all my notes to search for similar or contrasting viewpoints and then examine the evidence substantiating each opinion. Occasionally, my questions were based off of material learned in another meeting that contradicted the interviewer's argument. Cumulatively, the group's evidence is manifested in an array of media: video, photos, typed notes, quotes, government reports and recordings. I personally focused on written documentation.