Dear Sha(a Wale
We trust this le+er finds you amidst the boundless energy and crea6vity that define your
remarkable work as an ar6st. The reason you are one of our favourite ar6sts not only in Ghana
but globally. Your music is loved and inspires many, especially the youth in ways you cannot
imagine. Your influence is profound, and that is not lost on you, because of the huge fan base
you command through the Sha+a Movement. You bring Freedom and help the teeming youth
find their Level in an age challenged by economic downturns, with resultant high
unemployment rates in many African countries. As though that is not enough, the global
polycrisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental destruc6on is making coping
strategies even more difficult, with youth in Africa doing whatever it takes to travel abroad to
find greener pastures, if indeed there is really something like that.
Your upcoming and much an6cipated end of year explosive
month-long concert is the talk of town. We are par6cularly in
admira6on but concerned knowing how far and wide your
impact can reach. Coming the 8th of December, you are
scheduled to give a mega concert that will also see the
launch of Ellembele Community mining. While the prospect
of new ventures is always exci6ng, the poten6al
environmental and societal consequences associated with
unsustainable mining cannot be overlooked, par6cularly
when many of our rivers and food systems are being
destroyed.
The mining ac6vi6es being endorsed are widely acknowledged for their detrimental impact
on community farms, water bodies, and biodiversity habitats. The repercussions of such
prac6ces include polluted water bodies, destroyed farmlands, and the loss of biodiversity,
crea6ng a grim reality for both the present and future inhabitants of the affected areas. You
certainly have witnessed the devasta6ng impacts of the environmental and societal
consequences associated with mining ac6vi6es all over the country. We are therefore worried
that, by suppor6ng this, you will be contribu6ng to the destruc6on of rivers and farms lands,
while depriving communi6es of investments to pursue green and sustainable job
opportuni6es that do not leave nega6ve consequences for the health of the youth, the
environment and a healthy environment for future genera6ons. While I understand the
importance of suppor6ng various causes, it is crucial to consider the long-las6ng effects that
such ac6vi6es can have on our communi6es, ecosystems, and future genera6ons. Everyone is
feeling the impact of what the last decade of unsustainable mining has done to us. Everyone
is now calling for a change and not more mining.
In light of these concerns, we implore you to consider the poten6al harm that could be
inflicted on communi6es and the environment through the endorsement of such destructive practices. Instead, we encourage you to leverage your influence to advocate for mores sustainable alterna6ves, such as the crea6on of green jobs for youth.
Even now, as we write this le+er, thousands of youths from around the world are gathering in Dubai to demand their governments shiN towards a green and just future, inves6ng in
sustainable solu6ons that secure the land and water for now and the future. Many Ghanaian
youth are among them, passionately advoca6ng for a change in trajectory. We got here by the
century long priori6sa6on of extrac6ve industries in the oil and mining sector. Leading to
increasing global GHG emissions, deforesta6on and environmental degrada6on. There is a
global push for change. Our government is here at COP 28 suppor6ng the call for emissions
reduc6on from fossil fuels and a halt to deforesta6on and forest and ecosystem degrada6on.
Charity, they say must begin at home, and that means we should also be moving away from
our century long focusing and accelera6on of mining industries crea6ng jobs for a few, but
cumula6vely destroying water and food systems affec6ng millions of lives in Ghana. Ghana
must reimagine and reinvent solu6ons for our youth and voices like yours can help shape the
agenda. By championing ini6a6ves that priori6ze sustainable development, you can
contribute to building a brighter future for communi6es while safeguarding our planet. Green
jobs not only provide employment opportuni6es for the youth but also support industries that
priori6ze environmental responsibility and conserva6on.
Your lyrics employ us be heroes for our families and also “…so mi raise di banner cah mi love
mi own motherland.”, I believe in the power of your voice to inspire posi6ve change, and I
hope you will consider redirec6ng your support towards ini6a6ves that align with the
principles of sustainability and social responsibility. Together, we can foster a world where
prosperity and environmental sustainability coexist harmoniously. Yes, we need to create
sustainable jobs for the teeming unemployed youth, community mining is however not the
solu6on and we cannot con6nue forcing it on the people as we are doing now. Let’s us raise
heroes and banners that inspire hope for the youth while also guaranteeing a sustainable
future.
We eagerly an6cipate witnessing the posi6ve impact your influen6al voice can have on the
youth in Ghana, championing the green revolu6on in the future
Sha+a to the World.
Sincerely
Daryl Bosu
Deputy Na6onal Director
A Rocha Ghana
Daryl.bosu@arocha.org
