A verbal altercation between the Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, and Acting CEO of the Petroleum Commission, Emeafa Hardcastle, has ignited fresh debate over the tone and decorum of political discourse in Ghana.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, January 28, during a brief recess in the Parliamentary Appointments Committee proceedings. Reports indicate that tensions flared after Hardcastle referred to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucus as a “Micro-Minority,” a term that has previously sparked controversy within Ghanaian politics.
Annoh-Dompreh took offense at the characterization and confronted Hardcastle, leading to a heated back-and-forth exchange.
Hardcastle defended her statement, arguing that NPP’s Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, had also used the term in past discussions.
Eyewitnesses described the altercation as intense, with Annoh-Dompreh expressing strong displeasure over what he perceived as an insult.
“My friend, don’t bring yourself […] you call me silly, we will deal with this matter,” he reportedly said in response.
The verbal clash occurred during the Appointments Committee meeting, as discussions were already fraught with controversy over bribery allegations levelled against the committee by activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor.
The word “Micro-Minority” was first publicly used by Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), on December 13, 2024, and later reiterated by Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, both of whom applied it to the NPP’s caucus in Parliament.
Following the incident, Annoh-Dompreh lodged a formal complaint on the floor of Parliament, stating that he felt insulted and that his reputation had been unfairly tarnished.
He has since called for Hardcastle to be referred to the Privileges Committee for disciplinary action.
Adding to the calls for accountability, Minister of Education and Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, has demanded a public apology and retraction from Hardcastle, insisting that her comments were inappropriate and disrespectful.
The altercation underscores the deepening political divisions between the NDC and NPP caucuses, raising concerns about the impact of inflammatory rhetoric on parliamentary proceedings.
Speaker Bagbin assured the House he would summon Hardcastle to issue an apology for her actions.
