Bagbin intervenes in heated clash between Annoh-Dompreh and Emeafa Hardcastle
The Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has stepped in to mediate a heated confrontation between Minority Chief Whip Kwame Agbodza, Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP Frank Annoh-Dompreh, and Acting CEO of the Petroleum Commission, Emeafa Hardcastle.
The intervention follows an appeal from Mr Annoh-Dompreh, who urged the Speaker to issue consequential orders over what he described as unacceptable remarks made by Hardcastle.
The confrontation
The dispute erupted after Mr Annoh-Dompreh raised concerns about a social media post alleging that 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 the claims were investigated to protect the integrity of Parliament.
However, the Majority side opposed his request, triggering a heated debate that led to the suspension of the sitting.
An eyewitness Wisdom Kwaku Deku, the acting Executive Secretary of the National Identification Authority (NIA) and widely known on social media as Yayra Koku, claimed he was seated next to Hardcastle when the confrontation escalated.
What Happened?
A video circulating on social media shows that the altercation took place during a recess in the vetting of Defence Minister-designate Dr. Edward Omane Boamah.
As Annoh-Dompreh was leaving the room, Hardcastle allegedly 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?"
Mr Deku, who later shared his account of the incident online, provided further details:
"Luckily, she was sitting next to me. You came to talk to Dr. Omane. She suggested you go back and vet the nominee. Your response was, 'We will not vet him today. You guys haven’t seen anything yet.'
She replied, 'You are a micro-minority, what can you do?'
Then he said, 'You call me micro-minority? I will deal with you in public.' She answered, 'Who are you to deal with me?'"
Mr Deku insisted that Annoh-Dompreh had indeed provoked Hardcastle, contradicting claims to the contrary.
Parliamentary reaction
Mr Annoh-Dompreh later raised the matter on the floor of Parliament, appealing for Speaker Bagbin’s intervention.
"I did not provoke her in any way. Suddenly, I was being insulted—silly, stupid, useless. This cannot be allowed to stand," he argued.
However, former Minority Chief Whip and Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Agbodza, suggested that the matter be laid to rest, citing an attempt by Hardcastle to apologise.
"I took consolation in the fact that my colleague confirmed that the individual approached him to apologise. I was just going to appeal to my colleague to let this matter rest," Agbodza said.
The Minority side, however, rejected this suggestion, leading to further debate.
Speaker Bagbin ultimately intervened, stating that both parties would have an opportunity to present their accounts before he decides on an appropriate course of action.
"I will look into the matter and report back to the House," he assured.
Stressing the need for mutual respect in Parliament, he added. "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. But before we demand our pound of flesh, we must remember that respect is earned."