Barker-Vormawor criticises politicians over attacks on party offices
Human rights activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor has expressed concern over the persistent practice of mobilizing individuals to attack party and public offices in response to dissatisfaction with political appointments.
On Saturday, January 25, Mr. Barker-Vormawor criticised politicians for allowing such actions to continue, emphasising that these destructive behaviours are often organised and supported by influential figures behind the scenes.
“What is disappointing to me, is that politicians are continuing to allow this to happen, mobilizing individuals to attack party offices and things like that, because people have been left out of office,” Mr. Barker-Vormawor stated.
“A lot of people know who are behind them, mobilising young people to do this. Criminal accountability should not only extend to the individuals involved, but some of the people who are bankrolling and supporting them – it has to stop.”
Mr. Barker-Vormawor explained that these incidents are rarely spontaneous, as mobilising large groups requires planning and organization.
“I have done mobilisation for a long time, people don’t just stand up and mass up. There’s a process of calling up people and writing them and telling them this and that. And so let’s show up and do something,” he stated.
His comments come amid reports of unrest and property damage by party supporters in reaction to perceived neglect in the distribution of appointments under President John Mahama’s administration.
Mr. Barker-Vormawor reminded the public that party offices are classified as public assets by law and under Supreme Court rulings, and the need to treat acts of vandalism as serious criminal offenses.
He called for stronger accountability measures to address these recurring issues and prevent further destruction of public property.
“If we are treating it as a normal criminal act, then investigative processes must be activated because it has happened so many times when we sweep it under the carpet.”
While acknowledging that disappointment over appointments is natural, Mr. Barker-Vormawor stated that such frustrations do not justify lawlessness.
“Everybody is entitled to be disappointed when not appointed to some process. But what you don’t have is the right to be able to take the law into your own hands in this matter. There’s no entitlement to it,” he said on JoyNews’ Newsfile.