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A well-known activist and lawyer named Oliver Barker-Vormawor has been formally called by the Ghanaian Parliament to testify before its Appointments Committee on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, in response to claims of bribery during the ministerial nomination vetting process.
Following remarks Barker-Vormawor made on social media suggesting ministerial appointees were being requested to pay bribes to gain committee approval, the summons was issued on January 28, 2025.
As per the formal invitation letter, Barker-Vormawor posted the statement on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) at 9:25 p.m. on January 24, 2025, asking:
“So all the monies the ministerial appointees are being asked to pay to the Appointments Committee just to get approved, are those ones not affected by ORAL? Strange Republic.”
Furthermore, a January 25, 2025, Ghana Today article credited him with making another comment that claimed:
“NDC members on the Vetting Committee take money from Mahama’s ministerial nominees before approving them. The Deputy Speaker must submit himself to ORAL.”
Citing Article 103(6) of the 1992 Constitution and Order 134 of the Standing Orders of Parliament as justifications, Parliament has taken these accusations seriously and has called on Barker-Vormawor to substantiate his assertions.
In Ghanaian politics, the vetting of ministerial candidates has long been a divisive topic, with bribery allegations periodically coming up. Prior to parliamentary approval, nominees must be carefully examined by the Appointments Committee, which is mainly composed of representatives from the government and opposition parties.
A well-known legal activist and co-founder of the #FixTheCountry movement, Oliver Barker-Vormawor is renowned for his candid criticism of governmental organizations. If confirmed, his accusations might have a major impact on Ghana’s parliamentary procedures and political integrity.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
