Activist and lawyer Oliver Barker-Vormawor has apologized to the Appointments Committee of Parliament following a controversial social media post that sparked allegations of corruption among its members. The widely shared post suggested that committee members accepted bribes from those nominated for ministerial positions. During his appearance before the committee on January 29, 2025, after being summoned, Barker-Vormawor clarified that his post was not meant to harm the reputation of the committee or its members. He pointed out that his comments were based on concerns he had heard from others, rather than specifically targeting individuals. “I want to reinforce my deep respect for the committee and its vital constitutional function in vetting nominees for high office,” Barker-Vormawor stated. “The post was not intended to accuse anyone of bribery, and I apologize for any misunderstandings or harm it may have caused.” He denied any accusations against him, emphasizing that he had in fact commended the chair for their leadership during the vetting process. “I have never accused anyone on this committee, nor any member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), of accepting money for ministerial vetting,” he insisted. “I have consistently praised the committee’s leadership and its respectable management of the process.” Barker-Vormawor elaborated that his original post, which had undergone several edits, expressed his general concerns regarding potential misconduct during vetting but was not aimed at any individual member of the committee. In his apology, he reiterated that his intention was not to defame the committee. “I truly regret any confusion my words might have caused, and I apologize for any negative effects on the committee and its members,” he remarked. He also mentioned that he chose to keep the post online instead of deleting it to ensure transparency and accuracy. “I wanted the record to be accessible for reference,” he added. The committee accepted Barker-Vormawor’s apology and acknowledged his clarification.
