Spencer Wan Blog of Thursday, 30 January 2025
Source: Eric Afatsao
In parliament, the minority caucus said it expects Ms. Victoria Emeafa Hardcastle, the Petroleum Commission's acting chief executive officer, to face the proper consequences for her fight with Frank Annoh Dompreh, the minority chief whip.
It has been decided by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Bagbin, to hear arguments from both sides on Thursday, January 30, 2025.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) lawmakers had been informed of their expectations prior to that.
They anticipate that she will be punished, imprisoned, barred from legislative premises, or forced to issue a public apology in order to discourage others.
In a press release the day following the event, the Caucus leadership stated, "We expect that the appropriate sanctions under our Standing Orders."
"We hope that the Speaker's report or decision on Friday will strongly discourage all public officials and anyone else who might consider engaging in such disdainful behavior in the future."
The government appointee's behavior was denounced by the group as "reprehensible and contemptuous," declaring it to be "one of the most flagrant attacks" on democracy.
The attempt by Ms. Hardcastle to instruct Hon. Frank Annor-Dompreh, the Minority Chief Whip, on the performance of his parliamentary duties, as well as her outrageous labeling of a senior member of parliament as "silly," constitute a heinous assault on parliamentary authority that cannot be allowed to continue unopposed. Parliamentary consequences must be applied strictly because such behavior undermines the foundation of our democracy.
It maintained that Hardcastle’s conduct represents an intolerable breach of parliamentary privilege and contempt of the House; Parliament must send a clear message such contempt won’t go unpunished; and Public officials must understand that interaction with Parliament and its Members demands the highest standards of decorum and respect.