Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has formally raised a complaint in Parliament, seeking disciplinary action against Victoria Emefa Hardcastle, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Commission.
This followed what the MP described as a humiliating verbal assault he suffered from her. The MP, who is also the Minority Chief Whip, cited the incident as a breach of parliamentary privilege, invoking parliamentary orders 33 (3), 30, and 31 to make his case.
In his address to the Speaker, Mr. Annoh-Dompreh emphasised that he was bringing the matter to the House to safeguard the dignity of Parliament. He noted that, according to parliamentary procedures, any act of contempt or breach of parliamentary privilege should be brought to the attention of the House, particularly when it involves an outside party disrespecting the institution.
The MP further recounted that Hardcastle, who he later learnt was the acting CEO of the Petroleum Commission, insulted him without provocation.
He also reported the incident to the Chair of the Appointments Committee, with fellow committee members who were present corroborating his version of events.
While he acknowledged that Victoria Hardcastle later passed by to offer a partial apology, he found the apology inadequate and unacceptable.
The MP continued by stating that the verbal abuse was particularly disheartening coming from a professional who, he noted, was a lawyer by training. He expressed his surprise at her unprofessional behaviour, considering her position as an authority in the public sector.
Annoh-Dompreh called on the Speaker to take immediate action and invoke parliamentary rules to ensure that such disrespect is not tolerated.
Some MPs spoke in solidarity and expressed outrage over the incident but pleaded with their colleague to temper justice with mercy.
The Speaker, Alban S.K. Bagbin, acknowledged the gravity of the situation and assured the House that the matter would be taken up appropriately.
Meanwhile, Mr. Bernard Ahiafor, the Chairman of the Appointments Committee of Parliament, also on Tuesday directed the Clerk to the Committee to invite Mr. Oliver Barker-Vormowor, a political activist, to appear before the Committee on Wednesday, January 29, to provide evidence of allegations of bribery against him (Ahiafor) and members of the Committee.
Mr. Oliver Barker-Vormowor, Co-Convenor of Democracy Hub, has alleged in some sections of the media that the Chairman of the Appointments Committee, Mr. Ahiafor, and members of the Committee took bribes from the nominees before vetting and approval.
The matter sparked debate among members of the Committee, with the Minority Caucus calling for a suspension of Tuesday’s vetting until the issue was resolved.
However, the Majority Caucus pleaded with the Minority Caucus to temper justice with mercy and for the sake of national service.
