Renowned lawyer and political activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor has expressed concerns about Ghana’s procurement system, claiming that government contracts are routinely awarded based on party affiliation or political favoritism rather than merit.
He claimed that party executives and loyalists dominate the nation’s procurement deals, sidelining competent professionals and businesses.
“Our key contractors are party executives. Those who receive major procurement deals and are suppliers hold to chest high their party cards, too,” he asserted, painting a grim picture of political favoritism in Ghana’s economic landscape.
Barker-Vormawor pointed to specific cases where individuals with no verifiable track record or expertise were being granted lucrative government contracts.
“Kennedy Agyapong’s wife will get a major streetlight solar transitions contract. No track record or business sense. Abronye will get sorted out with supplier deals; Ken Ofori-Atta will divert all SIC’s contracts to Enterprise Insurance.”
Oliver Barker-Vormawor
According to him, this entrenched system of political patronage undermines meritocracy and fair competition in the country.
Despite the cyclical change of governments, Barker-Vormawor argued that the entrenched system of rewarding party faithful remains unshaken.
He suggested that when a new political party assumes power, the beneficiaries of contracts also shift accordingly, leaving no room for real economic reforms.
“Now, change has come. New workers need rewarding for their working. Working? The party membership cards of contractors have changed too. Woyomes will replace Wanyenoyies. Everything is single-sourced or kick-backed-sourced. Procurements advertised are not worth the paper they are advertised on.”
Oliver Barker-Vormawor
Accordingly, he highlighted the lack of transparency in Ghana’s public procurement process.
He further decried the culture of political allegiance determining business success, arguing that public discourse is stifled by partisan considerations rather than national interest.
“The culture says wear your party colors when you speak up. Clanism and tribal groupthink pervades and subverts intellect,” he noted, suggesting that critical voices are drowned out in favor of political loyalty and groupthink.
Ghana’s Ethical Dilemma
Oliver Barker-Vormawor also reflected on the ethical and moral dilemmas facing Ghanaian society.
He criticized the nation’s tendency to vilify those who challenge corruption and injustice, stating that people who stand for integrity are often dismissed as outcasts.
“But to say, I choose Ghana is to be the fool! The attention seeker. The mad! The one who lacks sense,” he bemoaned, questioning the country’s moral compass.
In a scathing critique of religious hypocrisy, he posed the rhetorical question: “Ghana in the eyes of God. Which God though? The same the thieves pray to? The same they thank for favors granted them with access and proximity to the kitty?”
This, he argued, reflects a deep contradiction in a society that claims to uphold religious values while enabling systemic corruption.
Despite the bleak picture he paints, Barker-Vormawor encouraged young people to uphold their principles and fight for justice, even if it comes at a personal cost.
He acknowledged the harsh realities faced by honest businesspeople and young professionals in Ghana but urged them to remain steadfast.
“The honest businessman, young man, young graduate, YOU, labors but labors in vain. A fool! Still chose conscience young blood. For today, they will call you mad. Tomorrow they will call you Osagyefo, Thomas Sankara, Patrice Lumumba, and Asimesi. They all died though. That’s your recompense.”
Oliver Barker-Vormawor
Barker-Vormawor further paid tribute to past activists who lost their lives fighting for justice, specifically referencing the late FixTheCountry activist Macho Kaaka and journalist Ahmed Suale.
He emphasized the lasting impact of their sacrifices, stating that their legacy endures beyond their deaths.
“I will still choose a 1000 Macho Kaaka and Ahmed Suales over…the deputy minister for Tourism under Kufuor. Or was he Minister for Agriculture? Death made nonsense of all of that and consigns the thief to oblivion. Yet even in death Macho Kaaka will live. A nobody from backwater nowhere. Killed for saying #FixTheCountry. His death birthed a movement. He lives!”
Oliver Barker-Vormawor
Barker-Vormawor concluded by highlighting what he believes to be a historical pattern of betrayal and posthumous glorification.
He noted that those who advocate for the masses are often vilified in their time but later honored by the very people who once rejected them.
“Still, never learning from history, the Mob has always crucified those who have sought their liberation. Later they turn around to worship them. In their poverty!”
Oliver Barker-Vormawor
His comments reflect a broader frustration with Ghana’s socio-political system, where genuine efforts to challenge the status quo are often met with resistance, only to be appreciated in hindsight.
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