The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has stepped in to mediate a heated confrontation between Kwame Agbodza, the Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the MP for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, and Emeafa Hardcastle, the Acting CEO of the Petroleum Commission. This intervention followed Annoh-Dompreh's appeal for the Speaker to take action after what he described as unacceptable remarks made by Hardcastle.
The Dispute Between Annoh-Dompreh and Hardcastle
The clash began when Annoh-Dompreh raised concerns about a social media post alleging that some members of the Appointments Committee had accepted bribes during the vetting of ministerial nominees. He called for an immediate suspension of the committee’s proceedings until these claims were properly investigated to protect the integrity of Parliament.
However, the Majority side opposed his request, leading to a heated debate that resulted in the suspension of the sitting. The altercation escalated during a recess in the vetting of Defence Minister-designate, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah. Eyewitness Wisdom Kwaku Deku, the acting Executive Secretary of the National Identification Authority (NIA), who was seated next to Hardcastle, shared his account of the incident on social media.
Details of the Confrontation
A video circulating on social media captured the confrontation. As Annoh-Dompreh was leaving the room, Hardcastle reportedly confronted him, saying, “You are threatening me that you are taking me on? Who are you? What do you mean by taking me on? You are a micro-minority. Doesn’t Afenyo-Markin himself use that phrase? I don’t have time for that. You think you can bully me here?”
Deku, who was seated near the two, further described the exchange. According to him, Hardcastle suggested Annoh-Dompreh should return to the vetting process, to which Annoh-Dompreh responded, “We will not vet him today. You guys haven’t seen anything yet.” Hardcastle allegedly retorted, “You are a micro-minority, what can you do?” Annoh-Dompreh then stated, “You call me micro-minority? I will deal with you in public.” Hardcastle responded, “Who are you to deal with me?”
Deku maintained that Annoh-Dompreh had provoked Hardcastle, contradicting Annoh-Dompreh's claims that he had been insulted without provocation.
Parliamentary Response and Bagbin’s Intervention
Following the altercation, Annoh-Dompreh raised the issue on the floor of Parliament, requesting Speaker Bagbin’s intervention. He denied provoking Hardcastle and described the insults he received as “silly, stupid, useless.” He insisted that such behavior should not be tolerated.
In response, former Minority Chief Whip and Roads and Highways Minister, Kwame Agbodza, suggested the matter should be laid to rest, noting that Hardcastle had attempted to apologize. However, the Minority side rejected this suggestion, leading to further debate.
Speaker Bagbin then intervened, assuring the House that both parties would have the chance to present their accounts before he decided on the appropriate course of action. He emphasized the importance of mutual respect in Parliament, stating, “Without respect for Parliament and its members, there is no democracy. We are the protectors of the rights and dignity of our people. If we become an endangered species, nothing is left for our country.”
He further urged, “Before we demand our pound of flesh, we must remember that respect is earned.”
The Speaker’s intervention highlights the ongoing need for decorum and respect within Parliament. As the issue is reviewed further, the need to protect the integrity of parliamentary proceedings and the dignity of its members remains paramount for a functioning democracy.
