Oliver Barker-Vormawor clashes with Ghana Bar Association over bias in judicial appointments

Activist and lawyer Oliver Barker-Vormawor has accused the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) of political bias. He claims the GBA has historically challenged appointments by the National Democratic Congress (NDC). However, it has remained silent on many more appointments made by the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

In a strong social media post, Barker-Vormawor noted that since 1992, Ghana has had seven Chief Justices. The NDC appointed only one Chief Justice. The NPP appointed the other six.

He pointed out that the GBA only challenged a Chief Justice's appointment when the NDC made its nomination. “The NDC appointed one Chief Justice,” he stated. “The GBA challenged that appointment. The NPP appointed all six others, and the GBA remained silent.”

Barker-Vormawor also presented what he called “Evidence No. 2.” He highlighted how the GBA responded to Supreme Court appointments by President John Dramani Mahama versus those by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

During his tenure, President Mahama nominated four judges to the Supreme Court. The GBA filed a suit challenging these appointments. They argued that Mahama did not select individuals recommended by the Judicial Council and themselves.

In contrast, President Akufo-Addo has nominated 20 judges to the Supreme Court and successfully appointed 18 of them. None of these appointments faced legal challenges from the GBA.

Barker-Vormawor suggested this pattern shows political partisanship within the GBA. “They never challenged any appointment Nana Addo made,” he claimed, implying a lack of neutrality in their oversight role.