Convener of the #FixTheCountry Movement, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, has questioned the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s decision to appoint Malik Basintale to a bureaucratic role in government, describing it as “one of the least strategic decisions” ever made by the party.
In a lengthy Facebook post sighted by MyNewsGh, Barker-Vormawor argued that Basintale’s strength lies in grassroots mobilisation and emotional connection with young people, rather than administrative work.
“Malik has been a revelation, particularly in the run-up to the elections. He has great street credibility with mobilising enthusiasm,” Barker-Vormawor wrote.
“Politics is emotions—emotional connection and constant high-energy engagement. Government must never step off the ladder of massive civic mobilisation.”
According to him, Basintale should have been deployed across the country as a full-time organiser to rally young people behind government policies, rather than being “shelved” into office work.
“Malik sits in Accra sorting between Zoomlion contracts and per diem allowances. His true talent wasted; shelved to be deployed just a few months to elections, when it is too late,” he lamented.
Barker-Vormawor further stressed that such grassroots mobilisation could have built Basintale into a nationally recognised figure with “Jerry Rawlings-esque” appeal. While acknowledging that some within the party might find that threatening, he urged the NDC to think long-term.
“A barely 30-year-old young man supported to build massive enthusiasm for the party is a long-term win. So it allows him to build a platform for presidency? And so what? Think long-term,” he argued.
Comparing the current state of the NDC to the era of Kwame Nkrumah’s Convention People’s Party (CPP), Barker-Vormawor said the ruling party has taken its “foot off the pedal” when it comes to mass mobilisation.
“The CPP never stopped mobilising. They defined high-energy politics. This is why they won elections by a landslide always,” he wrote.
He concluded his post with a call on the NDC leadership to “get Malik out to the streets” and provide him with the needed resources to keep the youth engaged.
“You are free to disagree. New and brave ideas only appeal when you are in opposition, not in Government anyway!” Barker-Vormawor added.
