In the grand scheme of nation-building, democracy is supposed to be a solemn, measured affair—a disciplined engagement of ideas, policies, and pragmatic leadership aimed at uplifting the people.

It is not, and should never be, a playground for opportunistic, attention-seeking desperados who, instead of adding substance to our national discourse, turn it into a theatre of absurdity.

Yet, in Ghana today, we find ourselves confronted with a growing breed of political exhibitionists, individuals who thrive on disruption rather than constructive engagement. They mistake activism for anarchy, advocacy for agitation, and reform for mere rabble-rousing. Take, for example, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, the self-styled revolutionary whose brand of political engagement increasingly resembles that of a social media provocateur rather than a serious reformist. His stunts, often couched in legal jargon and grandiose claims of patriotic duty, seem more attuned to personal clout-chasing than to the hard work of nation-building.

When he threatened to stage a coup if the E-Levy was passed, it was neither a joke nor a reckless outburst—it was a reflection of a deeper, troubling trend: the reduction of governance and national discourse to a spectacle. Barker-Vormawor’s tactics—like orchestrating mass arrests for dramatic effect, engaging in endless social media theatrics, and portraying himself as a martyr—do not reflect the maturity our democracy needs. Instead, they hijack our collective attention and waste our already insufficient four-year political cycle on distractions.

This is not to say that activism has no place in democracy. On the contrary, history is replete with examples of fearless individuals who challenged oppression and reshaped societies. But true activism is grounded in intellectual rigor, discipline, and a commitment to genuine institutional reform. It does not rely on cheap stunts, exaggerated victimhood, or inflammatory rhetoric designed solely to stir public emotions without offering coherent solutions.

Ghana is at a critical juncture. Our economy is fragile, our institutions need strengthening, and our democratic gains must be protected from both external and internal threats. The last thing we need is a parade of self-appointed revolutionaries who, under the guise of fighting for the people, only end up consuming valuable time and space that could be used to solve real problems.

Our democracy is not a circus. Government is not a stage for political exhibitionism. And we, as a people, must be vigilant against those who seek to squander our limited time with antics rather than action. The four years of any administration are fleeting, and we cannot afford to waste them indulging in the egotistical performances of those who mistake chaos for change.

The Sirigu boy

 

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