Ellembelle community mining will destroy the environment; don’t perform at the launch — Shatta Wale petitioned

Dancehall artiste Charles Nii Armah Mensah, known professionally as Shatta Wale, has been petitioned not to perform at the launch of multiple community mining projects in Ellembelle District.

The Ghana Environmental Advocacy Group sent an open letter to Shatta Wale, warning that surface mining has already caused "tremendous havoc" in the area by polluting rivers and streams.

Elizabeth Allua Vaah, who signed the petition on behalf of the group, stated that "creeks, streams, and rivers, including Ankobra, Broma, Subile Norloa and Amanzule have been poisoned from mining."

The community mining projects are being promoted and sponsored by Kwasi Bonzoh, the Honorable District Chief Executive (DCE) of Ellembelle.

However, the petitioners argues that the DCE "has failed miserably at resolving the issue of environmental degradation from irresponsible mining (Galamsey)."

"'By inference then, honouring this invitation to perform will make you complicit in the imminent destruction of whatever is left of our land,” they told Shatta Wale.

The Ghana Environmental Advocacy Group said Shatta Wale could undermine his image as an icon for Ghanaian youth if he go ahead to perform.

They hope he will use his platform to raise awareness about the threats of irresponsible mining.