Ken Ashigbey fires back at Stan Dogbe over galamsey comments

The convener of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, Ing. Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, has issued a sharp response to comments made by Stan Xoese Dogbe, a Deputy Chief of Staff in Charge of Operations at the Presidency , following a Facebook post in which Dr. Ashigbey raised alarm over visible illegal mining (galamsey) activities near Simpa township on the Tarkwa–Takoradi road.

In his original post, Dr. Ashigbey called out the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Tarkwa-Nsuaem, questioning why illegal mining activities were being allowed to continue openly and pollute nearby water bodies.

He also appealed directly to former President John Dramani Mahama, asking that he take a closer look at the performance of his local appointees.

“Around the Simpa township on the Tarkwa–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,” Dr. Ashigbey wrote.

However, Mr. Dogbe responded critically, suggesting that Dr. Ashigbey’s advocacy lacked balance and was politically motivated.

“If your government, in the eight years of your ‘coloured’ fight, had demonstrated the political will and clear strategies deployed in the last nine months, I guess we would not be here. Instead of gaining on negativity as a form of advocacy, you and your team should keep up the fight but do it constructively and stop hiding behind political bias to gain a voice,” Mr. Dogbe wrote.

His response drew a flurry of reactions online. Nii OB countered Mr. Dogbe’s remarks, insisting that the Media Coalition’s campaign was “not politically motivated.” Another user, Agya Kawodeê, noted that illegal mining had persisted under successive governments and urged both sides to remain factual.

Amid numerous calls for clarification, Dr. Ashigbey released a detailed response addressed to Mr. Dogbe, describing his comments as “unfortunate and full of falsehoods.”

“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,” Dr. Ashigbey said.

He challenged Mr. Dogbe’s attempt to politicize his efforts, asking:“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.”

Dr. Ashigbey noted that his coalition has consistently offered practical solutions to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and even submitted a comprehensive policy paper to H.E. John Dramani Mahama outlining actionable steps to curb illegal mining.

“Ghanaians can see that our work is not driven by money or politics. Our fight is against the imminent environmental crisis threatening us all — not an exercise in negativity,” he said.

Taking a swipe at Mr. Dogbe’s tone, he added:“Perhaps you are not as concerned about the poisoning of our water bodies. You can 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 concluded his statement by reaffirming his stance and calling for genuine collaboration across political lines:“Why should I stay silent when I see wrongdoing? Even the President himself has called on all of us to support the fight against galamsey. Would you rather we disobey that call? So I ask: Do you want us to fix this problem, or do you not?”