Retired Supreme Court Justice William Atuguba has adviced lawyer and activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor, urging him to avoid unnecessary confrontations with politicians and the legal system.
At a recent public lecture organized by Solidaire Ghana and the Department of Political Science at the University of Ghana, Justice Atuguba expressed his admiration for young activists like Barker-Vormawor, who have offered a glimmer of hope for Ghana’s democracy in the face of numerous challenges, including waning confidence in the judiciary.
In his speech, Justice Atuguba emphasized the need to sustain the ongoing political renaissance in Ghana, asserting that meaningful political reforms would be elusive without it. He then went off-script to acknowledge Barker-Vormawor, expressing his desire to meet him in person.
While encouraging Barker-Vormawor to adhere to his principles and ideals, Justice Atuguba cautioned him against reckless interactions with politicians. He underscored the importance of staying focused on these principles and avoiding engagement in divisive political discourse that often pervades the media.
“That’s why I agree to come (and deliver the lecture), because I lost hope but when I see these young people, some are Vormawor, I have never seen him. I hear he is here, can you favour me with me seeing you?” he requested.
“But be careful with politicians. You see, enthusiasm, you can do it. Even as I am saying here, hey. But you see if you throw a careless thing and they get at you, you have no defense.
“So just keep to the principles, insist on the principles without falling to the temptations of the kind of pedestrian political garbage that is spewed out on our airwaves almost every day. That aspect is not necessary,” he advised.
Barker-Vormawor is currently facing charges of treason felony related to a social media post that the state claims threatened to subvert the government. Additionally, he faces a defamation charge by National Security Minister over allegations of bribery by Albert Kan-Dapaah to halt his advocacy.
Justice Atuguba also commended other notable individuals and organizations for their contributions to Ghana’s democracy, including Kwesi Pratt Jnr, Dr. Kwabena Arthur Kennedy, Prof. Ransford Edward Van Gyampo, economist Godfred Bokpin, and many more.
The lecture centered on the theme “Protecting Ghana’s Democracy: The Role of the Judiciary.”
