Osagyefo Mawuse Oliver Barker-Vormawor, a legal practitioner and activist, has slammed some elements of the opposition New Patriotic Party to malign independent voices through a disinformation campaign.
In a statement, the lead convener for the #StopGalamsey Protest, strongly refuted claims attributed to him by a news platform “Ghana Today,” which suggested that he stated, “galamsey is not a President’s problem but a problem caused by the police.”
Barker-Vormawor not only dismissed the publication as false but also took the opportunity to critique elements within the opposition for their counterproductive strategy of attacking independent voices.
“Rule of thumb: Anything you see from the opposition affiliated bot farm called Ghana Today, Just know it’s fake”.
Osagyefo Mawuse Oliver Barker-Vormawor, Legal Practitioner and Activist
He cautioned the public against trusting information from the platform. His reaction underscores broader concerns about the increasing prevalence of misinformation in Ghana’s political landscape.
In recent years, disinformation campaigns have become an effective tool used by political actors to discredit dissenting voices, manipulate public perception, and deflect from pertinent national issues.
Opposition’s Strategy in Question
Beyond denouncing “Ghana Today,” Barker-Vormawor turned his attention to elements within the opposition who, in his view, are engaging in internal bickering rather than focusing on fostering unity and building strategic alliances.
He expressed bewilderment at their approach and called for renewal of strategy in order for the opposition New Patriotic Party to rebuild its credibility after its 2024 election lost.
“I honestly do not understand the strategy of some elements within the minority opposition who believe that the way to survive opposition is to turn their sights on voices of reason and just keep attacking them.”
Osagyefo Mawuse Oliver Barker-Vormawor, Legal Practitioner and Activist
Barker-Vormawor’s remarks suggest that rather than using their time in opposition to address past mistakes and refine their policies, certain factions are directing their energy towards silencing independent perspectives that do not necessarily align with party orthodoxy.
According to him, opposition forces should be using this period to build relationships with those whose views they previously ignored or dismissed.
“Yes, you have suffered a huge defeat. Deserved, of course. But therapy will tell you that even though you are still in pain, the way forward is building allyship and community with those whose voices you failed to listen to in the past. Hell, even tormented”.
Osagyefo Mawuse Oliver Barker-Vormawor, Legal Practitioner and Activist
Barker-Vormawor’s statement also touched on the broader issue of political discourse in Ghana, emphasizing that personal allegiances should not take precedence over the collective goal of national progress.
“I do not care about anyone’s party colours as long as they stay committed to a new Ghana,” he asserted, signaling his commitment to issue-based politics rather than partisan loyalty.
His message is particularly timely, given the increasing polarization in Ghanaian politics, where party affiliation often dictates the stance individuals take on critical national issues.
The activist’s call for a more inclusive and issue-driven approach resonates with many who are frustrated by the entrenched political divisions that have stagnated development efforts.
Barker-Vormawor did not spare the oppposition NPP from scrutiny, stating that after eight years in power, the party faces a significant “credibility problem.”
He pointed out that attacks and misinformation will not solve the NPP’s challenges, suggesting that the party needs to focus on regaining public trust through sound and effective policy analysis rather than resorting to propaganda.
The activist’s criticism of “Ghana Today” also brings attention to the broader issue of misinformation in Ghanaian media and politics.
In recent years, political parties and their surrogates have increasingly relied on fabricated stories, misleading narratives, and digital propaganda to shape public opinion.
The rise of social media has further exacerbated this challenge, as fake news spreads rapidly and often goes unchecked.
Barker-Vormawor’s warning against “Ghana Today” highlights the need for media consumers to exercise greater discernment in verifying news sources.
It also raises concerns about the ethical responsibilities of media houses and the potential consequences of political actors using misinformation as a tool for electoral advantage.
