A member of Ghana’s Parliamentary Appointments Committee, Patrick Yaw Boamah, has dismissed Oliver Barker-Vormawor’s request to apologise for his bribery allegations as a mere afterthought. According to him, the activist should face consequences for his actions.
“This is an afterthought, and he must be held accountable for his conduct,” Mr. Boamah asserted during the committee’s sitting on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.
Earlier, Nana Ato Dadzie, legal counsel for Barker-Vormawor, had sought to explain his client’s comments, stating they were not intended to tarnish the reputation of the committee. Addressing the Appointments Committee on Wednesday, Mr. Dadzie clarified, “It was never intentional to make disparaging remarks about the committee. It was a whistleblower’s statement about certain alleged practices that should be investigated.”
Barker-Vormawor had made allegations in a Facebook post on Friday, January 24, claiming that some members of the Appointments Committee solicited bribes from ministerial nominees in exchange for approval. The claims prompted a strong response from the committee, which denied the accusations and demanded evidence to substantiate them.
On Tuesday, January 28, ahead of the vetting of Defence Minister-designate Dr. Omane Boamah, the committee, chaired by Bernard Ahiafor, addressed the allegations. Mr. Ahiafor categorically rejected the claims and invited Barker-Vormawor to appear before the committee to provide evidence.
“We take serious exception to these allegations. Oliver Barker-Vormawor is hereby invited to appear before the committee tomorrow, January 29, at noon, to substantiate his claims that any member of this committee demanded money for vetting or approval,” the chairman stated.
Appearing before the committee on Wednesday, Barker-Vormawor reiterated through his lawyer that his statement was not meant to denigrate the committee but rather to highlight alleged corruption concerns. However, Mr. Yaw Boamah maintained that the activist’s apology was insufficient and emphasized the need for punitive measures to deter similar misconduct in the future.
The Appointments Committee continues its deliberations, with the controversy casting a shadow over its vetting process.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson
