Josiah
Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh Dompreh, has formally reported Victoria Emeafa Hardcastle, the acting CEO of the Petroleum Commission, to Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin over alleged insults and derogatory remarks made during the vetting of Defense Minister-designate, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah.
A viral video circulating online captures a heated exchange between Hardcastle and the Nsawam Adoagyiri MP, where she referred to him as a “micro minority”—a term Speaker Bagbin has previously used in jest to describe the NPP side of Parliament.
Annoh Dompreh took offense to the phrase, questioning its intent. The situation escalated when Hardcastle, in response to his objections, asserted that she could not be bullied, asked if he was threatening her, and defended the use of “micro minority” by citing Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin’s familiarity with the term.
Tensions rose further when Hardcastle allegedly referred to Annoh Dompreh as a “silly gentleman,” further aggravating him.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Annoh Dompreh urged that Hardcastle be held accountable for her comments, arguing that taking action against her would serve as a deterrent to future attacks on MPs and help safeguard the dignity and integrity of Parliament.
However, Adaklu MP, Kwame Governs Agbodza, called for calm, revealing that Annoh Dompreh had informed him of Hardcastle’s sincere apology. He emphasized that she had no history of disrespecting Parliament and, therefore, should be pardoned.
Meanwhile, Speaker Alban Bagbin has taken up the matter and has summoned Hardcastle to appear before Parliament on Thursday, January 30, to address the issue and report back to the House.
Emeafa Hardcastle: “Are you threatening me? Who are you?”
Annoh Dompreh: “Why? What’s the meaning of that?”
Hardcastle: “Don’t bring yourself. What do you mean by ‘you’re taking me on’? What does that phrase mean?”
Annoh Dompreh: “You called me micro minority!”
Hardcastle: “Doesn’t Afenyo-Markin [Minority Leader] know that phrase? I don’t have time for you. You think you can bully me here, eei!”
Hardcastle (to an unidentified person): “Not this silly gentleman?”
Annoh Dompreh: “You heard the word she used. She called me silly?”
Hardcastle: “Are you a silly child?”
Annoh Dompreh: “No, no… we will deal with this matter.”
Hardcastle: “Did I mention your name? You were the one fighting on TV over your seat, and now you’re coming to flex here. Did I mention your name?”
Annoh Dompreh: “You cannot call me silly.”
Hardcastle: “Did I mention your name? You can carry any cross you wish to carry!”
