In a strongly worded Facebook post, Barker-Vormawor criticised what he called an entrenched political culture that seeks to intimidate outspoken young people rather than engage them constructively.
According to him, Wendell’s continued detention is not about justice, but about “showing power” and discouraging dissent.
Barker-Vormawor recalled that Wendell is no stranger to police action. Last year, the young activist was arrested and detained for 17 days after protesting against illegal mining activities.
Barker-Vormawor recalled that Wendell is no stranger to police action. Last year, the young activist was arrested and detained for 17 days after protesting against illegal mining activities.
Now, barely a year later, he finds himself back in custody under circumstances Barker-Vormawor believes are deeply troubling.
He explained that Wendell’s latest arrest followed a lengthy media interview in which the activist discussed the galamsey menace and mentioned three Regional Ministers from areas heavily affected by illegal mining.
“He was picked up because, in a long interview talking about Galamsey, he mentioned three Regional Ministers as being implicated,” Barker-Vormawor wrote.
Crucially, Barker-Vormawor noted that Wendell quickly acknowledged the sensitivity of his comments and issued a public apology within hours of the interview.
He added that he personally contacted two of the ministers named to apologise on Wendell’s behalf and on behalf of Democracy Hub.
Efforts to reach the Western Regional Minister, he said, were unsuccessful due to unavailable contact details.
Despite these steps, Barker-Vormawor said the authorities appeared unmoved. Quoting what he described as the attitude of those pushing the case, he wrote: “No, that’s not repentance enough. We must show him where power lies. He should bring his evidence; else he hangs.”
The activist argued that such an approach prioritises punishment over fairness and correction.
Despite these steps, Barker-Vormawor said the authorities appeared unmoved. Quoting what he described as the attitude of those pushing the case, he wrote: “No, that’s not repentance enough. We must show him where power lies. He should bring his evidence; else he hangs.”
The activist argued that such an approach prioritises punishment over fairness and correction.
“He sits in jail because our appetite for revenge, emboldened by power, must not rest until a pound of flesh is exacted,” he stated, warning that the law is being weaponised rather than applied impartially.
Barker-Vormawor stressed that Wendell’s youth makes the situation even more disturbing, insisting that democratic societies should encourage civic engagement, not crush it through fear.
Barker-Vormawor stressed that Wendell’s youth makes the situation even more disturbing, insisting that democratic societies should encourage civic engagement, not crush it through fear.
He questioned what message is being sent to young Ghanaians who speak up against corruption and environmental destruction.
According to him, apologies and corrective actions must still have meaning within a democracy. When justice is used as a spectacle or a tool of intimidation, he warned, the entire society suffers.
He concluded by urging leaders to reflect on the direction Ghana’s democracy is taking, insisting that true leadership protects the vulnerable and tolerates dissent, rather than silencing critics to reinforce authority.
According to him, apologies and corrective actions must still have meaning within a democracy. When justice is used as a spectacle or a tool of intimidation, he warned, the entire society suffers.
He concluded by urging leaders to reflect on the direction Ghana’s democracy is taking, insisting that true leadership protects the vulnerable and tolerates dissent, rather than silencing critics to reinforce authority.