Minority Caucus condemns Petroleum Commission CEO’s alleged conduct in Parliament

By Elsie Appiah-Osei

Accra, Jan 29, GNA – The Minority Caucus in Ghana’s Parliament has condemned the behaviour of Ms Victoria Emeafa Hardcastle, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Commission, towards the Leadership of Parliament.  

In a statement signed by Mr Alexender Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader and issued to the Ghana News Agency described Ms Hardcastle’s conduct as “reprehensible and contemptuous” and demanded decisive action from the House. 

According to the statement, Ms Hardcastle’s attempt to direct the Minority Chief Whip, Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh, on the execution of his parliamentary duties, coupled with her description of a senior Member of Parliament (MPs) as allegedly “silly”, constituted an “egregious assault on parliamentary authority.” 

The Minority Leadership maintained that Ms Hardcastle’s conduct represented an “intolerable breach of parliamentary privilege and contempt of the House, demanding exemplary sanctions”. The statement expected the Speaker to apply appropriate sanctions, including fines, imprisonment, restriction from parliamentary precincts, and mandatory public apology. 

The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban S.K. Bagbin, has decided to personally hear representations from both parties on Thursday, January 30, 2025, and report back to the House by Friday.  

This move underscores the gravity of the matter, and the Minority Caucus anticipates that the Speaker’s ruling will send a strong message of deterrence to public officials and individuals who might contemplate similar contemptuous conduct. 

Ms Victoria Emeafa Hardcastle (left)

It said: “As Hon. Annor-Dompreh noted, I didn’t provoke her in any way, but suddenly, insults were hurled at me, including being called ‘silly,’ ‘stupid,’ and ‘useless.” He added that the incident was not just a personal attack but also an assault on the dignity of Parliament. 

The Minority Caucus has called on all stakeholders to note that this case will set a crucial precedent for future interactions between public officials and Parliament. 

It quoted the Minority Leader and New Patriotic Party MP for Efutu as saying “The dignity of Parliament is non-negotiable, and those who choose to assault it must face commensurate consequences,” it said. 

GNA