Oliver Barker-Vormawor, convener of the #FixTheCountry movement, has launched a pointed critique of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for what he deems a strategic misstep: appointing Malik Basintale to a bureaucratic government position. Barker-Vormawor argues that Basintale’s strengths lie in grassroots mobilization and connecting with young people, not in administrative tasks. He believes that confining Basintale to an office role effectively neutralizes his most valuable asset – his ability to energize and rally support, particularly amongst the youth demographic.
Barker-Vormawor contends that Basintale’s effectiveness shines brightest in the dynamic realm of political campaigning. His street credibility and capacity to generate enthusiasm make him an invaluable asset in the run-up to elections. Politics, Barker-Vormawor emphasizes, is fundamentally driven by emotional connection and sustained high-energy engagement. By sidelining Basintale, the NDC, according to Barker-Vormawor, is neglecting a crucial aspect of political success: maintaining a constant state of mobilization. He advocates for a continuous, dynamic interaction with the electorate, rather than a periodic surge of activity only during election cycles. This continuous engagement, he argues, is what sustains political momentum and fosters a deeper connection with the populace.
Instead of being relegated to administrative duties, Barker-Vormawor envisions Basintale as a national organizer, traversing the country and rallying support for government programs. He laments what he sees as a squandering of Basintale’s talent, confined to the mundane tasks of office work. His potential, Barker-Vormawor argues, is being wasted on bureaucratic procedures, leaving him underutilized until the eleventh hour before elections, when the impact of his mobilization efforts is significantly diminished.
Barker-Vormawor believes that consistent, strategic deployment of Basintale’s talents could cultivate him into a national figure possessing the kind of charisma that resonated with followers of Jerry Rawlings, a quality he believes the NDC desperately needs. While acknowledging that some within the party might perceive Basintale’s rise as a potential threat, Barker-Vormawor urges the NDC leadership to adopt a long-term perspective. He frames the nurturing of a young, charismatic leader as a strategic investment that will ultimately benefit the party. The potential for Basintale to eventually ascend to the presidency should not be seen as a threat, but rather as a testament to the party’s ability to cultivate strong leadership.
Drawing a parallel with the Convention People’s Party (CPP) under Kwame Nkrumah, Barker-Vormawor criticizes the NDC for abandoning the high-energy, mass mobilization strategies that once characterized Ghanaian politics. He points to the CPP’s sustained engagement with the populace as a key factor in their electoral successes. The NDC, he asserts, has lost touch with this fundamental aspect of political strategy, opting instead for a more passive approach.
In a final exhortation, Barker-Vormawor urges the NDC leadership to redeploy Basintale to the grassroots level, providing him with the resources necessary to maintain a high level of engagement with young people. He recognizes that his perspective may not be universally accepted, acknowledging that new and unconventional ideas often find more traction in opposition than in government. However, he stands firm in his belief that the NDC is strategically undermining itself by failing to capitalize on Basintale’s unique abilities. He sees this decision as a missed opportunity to cultivate a powerful voice and energize a crucial demographic within the party’s base. He implicitly challenges the NDC to prioritize long-term growth and revitalization over short-term administrative expediency.
