Ken Ashigbey’s Stand Against Vote-Buying: A Call for Integrity in GJA Elections

Ken Ashigbey, the CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Mines and the head of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, strongly disagrees with claims that votes were bought in the recent Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) elections. He says that journalists shouldn’t act this way.

Ashigbey spoke out during the GJA elections on Monday, June 30, 2025, about how “alarming” claims that some candidates or their followers were trying to sway voters with money made him very worried.

It’s too bad that people have to pay off the media or something to get them to vote. No one gave me a pesewa in all the elections I voted in. He said it clearly: “I don’t know why they don’t come to me.” If they did, I’d call the police and have them arrested.

Ashigbey didn’t hold back when he said that it was wrong and against a journalist’s professional ethics to get paid to vote. “As a reporter, you shouldn’t ask for money before the election.” We can’t be the only ones to write about these things when they happen nationwide. If you do this, you should feel bad about yourself as a boss. He kept saying, “That shouldn’t happen.”

The statements were made while journalists nationwide were voting in what is expected to be a crucial GJA election. A lot of what the candidates say has to do with morals, professionalism, and improving things. Ashigbey’s warning is a potent reminder that reporters need to do more than write about crime. They should also always do the right thing.

People are paying more attention to the GJA because Ashigbey criticized it, but they haven’t officially answered the claims yet. Many people want an investigation to start immediately and for those who did something wrong to be punished.