Political activist and lawyer Oliver Barker-Vormawor has expressed concern over what he sees as a deliberate effort to distort public perception of legal prosecutions in Ghana, describing it as a form of criminal misinformation.
In a strong-worded statement, he highlighted the dangers of misinformation and the need for proactive measures to counter what he calls a “spin project.”
“Criminal misinformation thrives in silence,” Barker-Vormawor asserted, emphasizing that the lack of public discourse allows for the spread of false narratives.
He went on to express deep concern about the low levels of information literacy in the country, highlighting the challenges posed by misinformation, limited access to credible sources, and the public’s difficulty in critically evaluating information.
“The vast majority of people in this country do not read; and as such, are easily misinformed or misdirected. Even when they read, you are not even sure they understand it.”
Oliver Barker-Vormawor
Barker-Vormawor called on political and legal figures to take an active role in educating the public on the legal decisions being made, particularly concerning discontinued prosecutions.
“This is the reason why I keep insisting that Dr. Ayine, despite what the Supreme Court says, must actually take time to explain to the public why these prosecutions are being discontinued”.
Oliver Barker-Vormawor
He emphasized the need to communicate these issues effectively to the general public, cautioning against assuming that Ghanaian citizens inherently understand the intricacies of legal proceedings. “Do not ever take Ghanaian intelligence for granted. It does not exist. What may be obvious to you isn’t to many,” he remarked.
Barker-Vormawor insisted that public education should be prioritized and taken beyond elite circles. “So make it public and make it a press conference. Get Sammy Gyamfi, even to break it down into Twi for people,” he suggested.
Exposing Corruption and Partisan Agendas
According to Oliver Barker-Vormawor, a failure to inform the public allows certain individuals in power to manipulate the justice system for their own benefit.
He accused the former Attorney General, Godfred Dame, of unethical practices and called for greater scrutiny of his actions. “It is only then that people will understand the criminal rot and partisan hacking that Godfred Dame was up to at that Ministry,” he noted.
Barker-Vormawor did not mince words when addressing what he sees as injustice in the handling of certain legal cases.
“These prosecutions and the way they were brought out for most people; and how they were carried out for others was plain pure evil! Unethical decision-making was the order of the day”.
Oliver Barker-Vormawor
He cautioned that failing to speak out would only embolden corrupt individuals to distort public discourse, using their media allies to shape false narratives.
He emphasized that silence enables these unethical actors to present themselves as morally upright, despite their misconduct, ultimately allowing them to dominate the conversation unchecked.
The activist further stressed that legal matters should not be used as political tools.
He pointed to past cases where legal actions were seemingly weaponized against political opponents while allies were shielded from prosecution.
“In a fair system, justice is blind, but what we see is selective application of the law, where certain individuals are untouchable while others are sacrificed for political expediency”.
Oliver Barker-Vormawor
Accordingly, Barker-Vormawor reiterated his call for openness in addressing these matters, asserting that “yes, sunlight is the best disinfectant. And we have some cockroaches that need disinfection.”
He called on political actors to recognize the gravity of the current situation and resist the temptation to treat it as routine. Instead, he urged them to take a proactive approach to countering criminal misinformation and shaping public discourse.
He stressed that those spreading falsehoods still wield significant media influence and, if left unchallenged, would continue to control the narrative to their advantage.
The activist also called on civil society organizations, journalists, and the general public to play a role in demanding transparency and fairness in legal prosecutions.
He argued that Ghana’s democratic principles are at stake if selective justice continues unchecked.
“If we allow this precedent to stand, future administrations will exploit the same loopholes to serve their own interests. We must resist and demand accountability from all sides”.
Oliver Barker-Vormawor
As debates over legal prosecutions and political accountability continue, Barker-Vormawor’s statements add to the growing call for greater transparency in governance and justice delivery in Ghana.
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