Social media activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor has stated that his recent bribery allegations were not meant to target members of Parliament’s Appointments Committee.
His clarification follows widespread public and political backlash after a social media post in which he claimed that some individuals were paying bribes to secure ministerial approvals.
In the post, Barker-Vormawor wrote:
“So all the monies the ministerial appointees are being asked to pay to the Appointments Committee just to get approved, are those ones not affected by ORAL? Strange Republic.”
The post’s cryptic nature and direct mention of the Appointments Committee fueled speculation, with many interpreting it as an attack on the integrity of the parliamentary body responsible for vetting nominees.
However, appearing before the Committee on Wednesday, January 29, his legal counsel, Nana Ato Dadzie, explained that the statement was not intended as an accusation against its members but rather as a broader commentary on transparency in governance.
“The statement was not directed at the Appointments Committee. It was meant to expose certain concerns about transparency and ethical governance,” Dadzie told the Committee.
He further stated that the post carried a double meaning and should not be taken as a direct indictment of the Committee’s work.
“It was never his intention to disparage the Committee. If anything, it was a whistleblower’s attempt to highlight unethical practices in the political system,” he added.