Ghanaian rapper M.anifest has spoken out about the damaging effects of illegal small-scale mining, known as Galamsey, on the environment in Ghana.
Reflecting on his visit to an affected site 11 years ago while shooting the video for his song “No Shortcut to Heaven,” M.anifest emphasized that Galamsey has been a significant issue for a long time, with many Ghanaians only now beginning to realize the full extent of its impact.
During an appearance on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, the rapper highlighted the importance of being observant of societal issues as a musician.
He commended all musicians for their role in reflecting on society through storytelling in their music, stating, “As a musician, you need to be a keen observer of your society, Galamsey did not start recently.”
M.anifest also shared his firsthand experience of the harsh conditions faced by workers at illegal mining sites, expressing his shock and discomfort at the conditions he witnessed.
He revealed that filming the video for “No Shortcut to Heaven” presented challenges, particularly in locating an actual Galamsey site. M.anifest explained that his management had to navigate their way through concealed illegal activities to capture the reality of the situation.
