General News of Wednesday, 29 January 2025

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Frank Annoh-Dompreh 'cries' to Speaker of Parliament over clash with Emeafa Hardcastle

Frank Annoh-Dompreh play videoFrank Annoh-Dompreh

Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh has urged the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to issue consequential orders to summon the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Commission, Emeafa Hardcastle, before the Privileges Committee of Parliament once it is constituted.

This follows a heated exchange between Annoh-Dompreh and Hardcastle on Tuesday, January 28, during a break in the vetting proceedings of the Parliamentary Appointments Committee.

Tensions flared after Mrs. Hardcastle referred to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucus as a "Micro-Minority," a term that allegedly offended Mr. Annoh-Dompreh.

In response, the Minority Chief Whip allegedly threatened to take Hardcastle on, a statement she did not take lightly.

“You are threatening me that you will take me on because you are who? My friend, don’t bring yourself. What do you mean you are taking me on?” she fumed.

Annoh-Dompreh, however, emphasised the offense in the descriptive words used by the acting CEO to describe his caucus.

“You called us micro minority?" the MP questioned.

"But you are a micro minority. Doesn’t Afenyo (Minority Leader) himself use that phrase?” Hardcastle retorted.

“You think you can bully me here?” she added.

Amidst the melee created by their encounter, the MP accused the acting CEO of referring to him as “silly.”

“Please, please, please. You cannot call me silly… We will deal with this matter,” he stated.

Addressing the matter on the floor of Parliament, the Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP expressed dissatisfaction with Hardcastle’s conduct, describing her remarks as disrespectful and unbefitting of her position.

He urged the Speaker of Parliament to intervene and ensure the issue is fully resolved.

"I am told she is a lawyer, and I was surprised by the attitude she displayed. Mr. Speaker, I am respectfully bringing this to your attention and further inviting you to take action. I am fully aware that we have not yet constituted our committees. However, pending the formation of the Privileges Committee, I am pleading with you, Mr. Speaker. I know you are passionate about Parliament and the respect we must command in society as an arm of government. I humbly urge you to make consequential orders to ensure that this matter is addressed appropriately."

Haruna Iddrisu, the MP for Tamale South, also commented on the issue before Parliament.

He expressed his displeasure with Hardcastle's remarks, stating that they undermined Annoh-Dompreh's standing as an elected MP.

The former Minority Leader urged Hardcastle to issue a public apology and advised the Minority Chief Whip to exercise restraint to prevent the situation from escalating.

"The justified request made by the Minority Whip regarding this conduct suggests damage to his reputation as an elected Member of Parliament. Mr. Speaker, as I listened to him, I share the sentiments expressed by the Honorable MP for Damongo that this House must stand united in condemning such conduct and demanding an apology. However, I also urge our colleague to reconsider pursuing the matter further before the Privileges Committee, allowing for an amicable resolution," he stated.



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