Haruna Iddrisu, the Education Minister and Tamale South MP, has strongly denounced comments made by Emeafa Hardcastle, the Acting CEO of the Petroleum Commission, against Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the Chief Whip of the Minority (New Patriotic Party), on the floor of Parliament.
Iddrisu demanded that Hardcastle issue a public apology, pointing out that the remarks had an impact on Annoh-Dompreh’s reputation.
Additionally, he urged the Minority Chief Whip to refrain from pressuring the House to call Hardcastle before the Privileges Committee after Annoh-Dompreh had voiced her displeasure on the Parliamentary floor.
“The justified request made by the Minority Whip regarding conduct infers damaging his reputation as an elected member of Parliament. Mr. Speaker, as I listened to him, we can only appeal to him that we share what the Hon. MP of Damongo said – that this House must stand united and unanimous in condemning the conduct and demanding an apology for it, but to persuade our colleague not to pursue it further, wanting this matter resolved at the Privileges Committee,” Haruna Iddrisu said.
Additionally, as a warning, he emphasized how crucial it was that the general public and non-Parliament members understand that the Legislature has the authority to impose penalties under Article 122 of the 1992 Constitution.
Emeafa Hardcastle was heard saying to Frank Annoh-Dompreh in a widely shared video:
“You are threatening me that you are taking me on because who are you? What do you mean by taking me on?”
“You called us a micro-minority,” Annoh-Dompreh responded.
“But you are a micro-minority. Doesn’t Afenyo-Markin himself use that phrase? Don’t bring yourself. I don’t have time for that. You think you can bully me here?” Hardcastle came back.
Visibly upset, she was also heard saying, “I don’t care. Not this silly…”
Annoh-Dompreh reacted, “You heard the word she used. She called me silly.”
