The convener of the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining, Kenneth Ashigbey, has taken a swipe at Deputy Chief of Staff Stan Dogbe for accusing him of pursuing a partisan interest over his anti-galamsey advocacy.

Although Mr Ashigbey, who is currently the CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, started the coalition against the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) government to pile pressure for a solution to the illegal mining menace, Mr Stan Dogbe, in a Facebook reply to a comment made by Mr Ashigbey, accused him of pursuing a political agenda.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, October 5, Mr Ashigbey, who was part of the civil society members who met with President Mahama last Friday on conversations on illegal mining, said, "Around the Simpa township on the Tarkwa to Takoradi road, there is galamsey happening in clear sight. Is the MCE not aware? HE, John Dramani Mahama, please, this MCE cannot be representing your interests. I can see it from the road today, Sunday, the 5th of October 2025. They are working and polluting the waters."

In response to this comment, Mr Stan Dogbe replied, "If your government, in the 8 years of your ‘coloured’ fight, had demonstrated the political will and clear strategies deployed in the last 9 months, I guess we would not be here. Instead of gaining on negativity as a form of advocacy, you and your team, as advised by the president, should keep up the fight, but I add do it constructively and stop hiding behind political bias to gain a voice."

Obviously disappointed and infuriated by Mr Dogbe's comment, Mr Ashigbey replied to him with a long text disputing his claims and drawing his attention to the fact that he had been consistent in his advocacy against illegal mining, devoid of politics.

“My government,” really? Well, some in the NPP said the same. Thankfully, Ghanaians can judge my actions for themselves. My focus has NEVER been on those who, like you, see every national issue through partisan lenses. My commitment is to Ghana and to those who genuinely care about our nation’s future. They recognise the consistency of our message and the sincerity of our advocacy. When we began this fight in 2017, where were you? What was your contribution to the struggle against galamsey under the NPP? Was that when you also thought our advocacy was “negative”? History will judge us all."

Mr Ashigbey added, "Some of us are focused on solutions, not noise. You may ask the Minister of Lands, the Hon Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah — whenever we engage, we present concrete proposals. We’ve even shared a comprehensive paper with H.E. John Dramani Mahama at the event on Friday, the 3rd of October 2025, detailing actionable solutions. This is a matter of public record."

He noted, "Ghanaians can see that our work is not driven by money or politics. They know that our fight is against the imminent environmental crisis threatening all of us, not an exercise in negativity. Perhaps you are not as concerned about the poisoning of our water bodies or the destruction of our environment. Yes, you can now afford imported brands like Voss. I cannot. My children and family depend on the resources here in Ghana — the same ones being destroyed daily.

He reminded the Deputy Chief of Staff that he had no political bias and prayed for God's forgiveness for him for lying against him.

"I hold NO POLITICAL BIAS — and you know that. Yet, for reasons best known to you, you now seek to misrepresent me. I pray that God forgives you for the falsehoods you spread about me. The truth, and the internet, will not forget. Why should I stay silent when I see wrongdoing? Even HE, the President himself, has called on all of us to support the fight against galamsey. The Minister of Lands urged citizens to speak up when they see something wrong. Would you rather we disobey that call?

The comment by the Deputy Chief of Staff received widespread disapproval on the page, with many condemning his posture.

Dr Ken Ashigbey is a trained engineer from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

Dr Ashigbey has also worked in the media space for more than 15 years. He joined the Chamber of Telecommunications in 2017, after serving as the Managing Director of the Graphic Communications Group Ltd, and only recently left the telecoms Chamber to take up a new role as the CEO of the Chamber of Mines.