Activist and lawyer Oliver Barker-Vormawor has shared a deeply personal and politically reflective post on Facebook, addressing both the historic significance of electing Ghana’s first openly Muslim presidential candidate, and his reservations about Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s character and leadership potential.
In a post that blends national symbolism with political critique, Barker-Vormawor began by acknowledging the importance of Bawumia’s candidacy: “I really understand the symbolism of electing our first (openly) Muslim president. If I say I don’t, I’m lying.” He drew parallels with the election of Ghana’s first female Vice President, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, saying he “awaits the first female president eagerly.”
He clarified the “openly” qualifier by noting that former President Hilla Limann never publicly declared his religion, despite widespread belief that he was Muslim. “So even though some say he was the first Muslim President, he himself never claimed it.”
Barker-Vormawor sharply criticized those opposing Bawumia solely on religious or ethnic grounds.
“I find it obnoxious when people oppose Bawumia for his religion. That’s uncultured,” he said.
“The same bigots told us Ghana is not ready for a President from the North.” According to him, such opinions are often a mask for “narrow-mindedness.”
However, his critique of Bawumia took a sharp turn. “My challenge is that I don’t know how I can forgive Bawumia for sitting silent and watching Nana Addo ruin this country,” he wrote.
“I could never trust his integrity and strength of character.”
He further described the Vice President as “a talker without the charisma” and questioned his ability to lead decisively or inspire public confidence.
“I don’t see in him someone that inspires faith, principles, nor trust,” he added.
On policy and connection with the working class, Barker-Vormawor was equally skeptical. “I don’t see a person who understands working class folk… I hear him speak theory, not vision. I hear equations and never values. What is his compass?”
Despite his strong reservations, the post ends on a reflective note.
“I may be wrong, but Bawumia does not do anything for my sense of justice. But then again, I was wrong on Nana Addo, I thought he had all the above. So who knows tomorrow?”
