According to political activist and lawyer Oliver Barker-Vormawor, political greed lies at the heart of Ghana’s failing governance—an accusation he delivered in a scathing critique of the nation’s ruling elite.
His remarks echo a rising wave of frustration among Ghanaians who believe the country is being steadily looted by those in power, leaving the broader population disillusioned and without hope.
According to Barker-Vormawor, Ghana has become a country split in two—“one side corrupted by greed, the other side numbed by disappointment.”
This division, he warned, is unsustainable and dangerous, pointing out that “no nation can stand with one foot in plunder and the other in vain promise.”
Drawing on a series of examples that resonate with the public, he emphasized that this isn’t merely theoretical rhetoric—it’s a lived reality.
He pointed to the collapse of Ghana Airways, the structural issues with the Ghana Water Company, and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), attributing these failures not to Ghanaians at large, but to a political elite entrenched in theft and protected by institutional silence.
“Let’s steal from Ghana Airways. Be put on boards and ring-fence shady contracts for our friends. Then watch it inevitably collapse and immediately turn around and blame we ‘Ghanaians’—that’s how we are.
“Let’s jump on ECG. Arrange shady procurements, disappear cables, and split the loot to buy ourselves immunity. When ECG collapses, as it has now, let’s turn around and say ‘why can’t we solve common dumsor.’”
Oliver Barker-Vormawor
The biting commentary is not just a condemnation of individuals but of an entire system built to enable and conceal corruption.
Barker-Vormawor was unapologetically direct in identifying those he believes are at the heart of Ghana’s systemic collapse. He placed the blame squarely on the shoulders of the political elite and their close associates in positions of influence and affluence.
According to him, this entrenched network extends beyond politicians to include consultants who crafted misleading reports, lawyers who provided legal cover for corrupt dealings, and accountants who manipulated financial records to erase any trace of wrongdoing.
In his view, these actors collectively form a sophisticated machinery that enables, protects, and perpetuates high-level corruption in the country.
This rallying cry against political greed resonates with a citizenry worn down by decades of scandal, mismanagement, and unmet promises.
As public utilities falter and basic services decline, many are beginning to question whether their suffering is the result of incompetence or something far more sinister.
Accountability Urged Amid Increasing Political Greed
Furthermore, Oliver Barker-Vormawor called on Ghanaians to stop turning the blame inward and instead begin demanding real accountability from those in power.
He stressed that the nation’s problems will not be resolved by shaming ordinary citizens, but by exposing the individuals responsible for systemic decay. He pointed out that true national loyalty lies not in parliamentary chambers, but among those who take to the streets in protest.
His remarks echo a broader frustration that has been building among civil society organizations, which have consistently criticized governments over the years for lacking transparency, fostering distrust, and upholding a culture where wrongdoing often goes unpunished.
Yet, what makes Barker-Vormawor’s message stand out is his unwavering insistence on moral accountability.
He contended that Ghana’s crisis extends beyond failed institutions—it is also a collapse of moral values, where corruption is not only normalized but selectively forgiven, depending on one’s political allegiance.
“Until we name them, politicians; Until we stop romanticising their titles and providing them with immunity because they are from our party; Until we make theft not just illegal, but unforgivable—Ghana will remain a country in ruins, ruled by ruiners.”
Oliver Barker-Vormawor
He did not spare political appointees from any side, noting how both ruling and opposition parties have been complicit.
His concern is about systemic collapse, which he indicated has been unfolding before the public eye “contract by contract, kickback by kickback, board meeting after board meeting.”
The activist’s voice joins a growing call for institutional reforms that move beyond political theater. For Barker-Vormawor, the solution is clear but difficult: a total cultural shift in how Ghanaians view leadership, accountability, and the state.
“Arrest the rot! Recover the loot! We deserve a life of dignity,” he declared in a rallying statement that is quickly becoming a slogan of the disaffected.
Yet he ended with a sobering question that hangs in the air like a challenge to every citizen: “But who will lead us? The ones fighting for board appointments? Hmmm.”
As Ghanaians reflect on these words, the underlying concern remains whether the country can truly change course or whether it is doomed to continue spiraling under the weight of political greed.
For now, Barker-Vormawor’s message serves as both a warning and a wake-up call to a nation teetering between despair and a desire for real reform.
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