Audio By Carbonatix
One of the #FixtheCountry Movement conveners, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, has been arrested by operatives from the National Security at the Kotoka International International Airport (KIA).
Felicity Nelson, who confirmed this on her Facebook Live, said the Cambridge University PhD student was picked up upon arriving from the United Kingdom on Friday evening.
“Oliver Barker-Vormawor arrived at the KIA around 4 pm [on Friday], and around 5.20 pm, he sent a message to one of his family members that some security personnel had arrested him.
"It has been nearly six hours since anyone heard from him. We don't know where he is, we have tried the Airport Police Station and National Security Head Office, but could not find him there..." she said.
She said it is baffling how the officers can whisk someone away at a safe place as the KIA.
Barker-Vormawor has been leading a movement to get the government to tackle the country's problems.
"One thing we do know is that these are state officials, and we all need to be worried about that [their action] because this is how the state abuses its power," she said, citing the example of Citi FM journalist Caleb Kudah's arrest last year.
The Movement has issued a press release chronicling the events leading to Mr Barker-Vormawor's disappearance.
The #FixTheCountry Movement is demanding the immediate release of one of its vociferous conveners.
One of #FixTheCountry Convenors @barkervogues arrived in Ghana today at 4pm GMT and has been abducted by the state security apparatus.
— Fixthecountry (@Ghfixthecountry) February 11, 2022
We have since not seen or heard from him
We demand that he is RELEASED immediately pic.twitter.com/J17S8HfmoH
Background
It is unclear why the academic has been arrested, but sources tell Joy News it is in relation to a recent Facebook "coup" and "useless army" post.
Mr Baker-Vormawor has been championing the agenda to get government to fix problems confronting the country and has been commenting on many national issues.
The latest is government's controversial Electronic Transactions Levy (E-Levy), which the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs say they won't allow its passage into law.
Together with some Civil Society Organisations and non-partisan Ghanaians, the party hit the streets of Accra to protest the proposed 1.75% tax.
In videos and pictures widely circulated on the internet from the 65th birthday party of Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, a green coloured cake designed to spell the word ‘E-LEVY’ stole the spotlight.
Many internet users said this signalled an attempt by the Majority to pass the E-Levy bill into law.
On his Facebook page, the #FixTheCountry convener criticised this development.
Latest Stories
-
GNFS contains fire outbreak at Teshie Lekma Road near Lekma Hospital
2 hours -
Samia Nkrumah rejects the narrative that Ghanaians were happy after Nkrumah’s overthrow
3 hours -
A Mother’s pain: Tribute by Ivan Baidoo’s mother
3 hours -
‘Forgive us for staying away’ — Samia Nkrumah leads family back to Nkroful, pledges to preserve Nkrumah’s legacy
4 hours -
Ernest Nuamah scores twice as Lyon beat Rennes
4 hours -
‘My dear Ivan’ – A father’s tribute to a son tragically killed
4 hours -
GNPC Explorco advances Voltaian Basin drilling preparations with 13.5km access road
4 hours -
Cabinet approves facility manager for Borteyman Sports Complex – Kofi Adams
5 hours -
Sanitation is improving; critics may be ‘living in another world’ – Salaga South MP replies Bekwai MP
5 hours -
Government must do more to tackle sanitation crisis – Bekwai MP
5 hours -
World Cleanup Day: GFF begins sanitation education in local communities
5 hours -
EU Ambassador, IGP discuss stronger cooperation on policing and security
5 hours -
Africa Nations Volleyball Championship: Ghana set up quarterfinal clash with Cameroon after beating Chad
6 hours -
Meet Dr Benjamin Appiah Osei — Ghana’s three-time tourism awards winner
6 hours -
UEFA & CONCACAF demand Fifa pays $10m to all 211 members
6 hours