Ghana Chamber of Mines Appoints Kenneth Ashigbey as New CEO
The Ghana Chamber of Mines has appointed Ing. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), ushering in a significant leadership change in the country’s mining sector. His appointment, announced this week, places a long-standing critic of illegal small-scale mining—commonly known as galamsey—at the helm of Ghana’s most influential mining industry body.
Dr. Ashigbey, a respected engineer and industry leader, previously served as CEO of both the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications and the Ghana Digital Chamber, where he led key initiatives on digital transformation and regulatory collaboration for nearly eight years. His professional background spans engineering, media, technology, and infrastructure—skills that will now be brought to bear on one of Ghana’s most critical economic sectors.
As the new CEO, Dr. Ashigbey will be tasked with advancing the Chamber’s strategic objectives, enhancing stakeholder engagement, promoting effective policy advocacy, and driving sustainable growth in Ghana’s mining industry, which remains a major contributor to export earnings and employment.
However, his appointment has sparked debate given his prominent role in civil society’s efforts to combat illegal mining. For years, Ashigbey has been a vocal leader in the national campaign against galamsey, frequently engaging with media outlets, government bodies, and security agencies to advocate for stronger enforcement of mining regulations.
His new position within the apex body representing large-scale legal mining companies could complicate perceptions of his neutrality in the fight against galamsey.
Now that he is formally aligned with the interests of the formal mining sector, critics may question whether he can continue to serve as an impartial voice in the national conversation on illegal mining.
Nonetheless, industry stakeholders have largely welcomed his appointment, viewing it as an opportunity to foster greater alignment between government policies, community expectations, and industry practices.
