Parliament has been engulfed in controversy following an intense standoff between Victoria Emeafa Hardcastle, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Commission, and Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the Minority Chief Whip.
The incident, which has sparked bipartisan outrage, has now placed the spotlight on the sanctity of parliamentary authority and the consequences of public officials undermining legislative power.
The dispute erupted on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, when Hardcastle allegedly made derogatory remarks about Annoh-Dompreh’s conduct, reportedly describing it as “silly”. This statement, seen as a blatant disregard for parliamentary dignity, has triggered strong reactions from MPs across the political divide.
The issue was swiftly raised on the floor of Parliament, where both Majority and Minority MPs condemned Hardcastle’s actions, describing them as an unprecedented affront to the legislative body.
The Minority Caucus, in a statement issued on January 29, and signed by the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin did not mince words, branding Hardcastle’s conduct as “egregious contempt of Parliament” and demanding immediate and severe sanctions.
They further cited the landmark ruling in K.T. Hammond v. William Ampem-Darko, which reinforces the principle that no public official has the right to verbally or physically attack a sitting Member of Parliament in the course of their official duties.
The Caucus insists that failure to act decisively against Hardcastle would set a dangerous precedent, potentially emboldening other officials to undermine parliamentary authority in the future.
Read the Minority’s full statement below:
https://editors.3news.com/news/linda-ocloos-vetting-sets-record-as-what-seems-to-be-the-shortest-in-parliament/
