Alban Bagbin, Emeafa Hardcastle and Frank Annoh-Dompreh
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, is set to hold a critical meeting today, January 30, 2024, with the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Petroleum Commission, Victoria Emeafa Hardcastle.
This meeting comes in the wake of a heated confrontation between Hardcastle and the Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, during a sitting of the Appointments Committee on Tuesday, January 28.
The altercation, which occurred during the vetting of Dr. Omane Boamah as Minister of Defence-designate, saw a verbal exchange between Hardcastle and Annoh-Dompreh, prompting the MP for Nsawam-Adoagyiri to raise concerns about what he described as an unjust attack on his reputation as a legislator.
The incident has since sparked widespread debate in political and legislative circles.
Following the tense encounter, Annoh-Dompreh formally petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, urging him to intervene by issuing what he termed ‘consequential orders’ ahead of the establishment of the Privileges Committee.
The Privileges Committee, tasked with investigating misconduct or breaches of parliamentary rules, has yet to be constituted.
The Minority Chief Whip expressed deep dissatisfaction with the incident, insisting that immediate action was necessary to address what he called an “unprovoked attack” on his integrity as a lawmaker.
In response, Speaker Bagbin acknowledged the seriousness of the matter and assured the House that he would meet with the Acting CEO of the Petroleum Commission before the formal establishment of the Privileges Committee.
Today’s meeting, expected to be held behind closed doors, will likely provide an opportunity for the Speaker to hear Hardcastle’s perspective and assess the circumstances surrounding the incident.
ID/MA
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