The Minority in Parliament has called for a range of penalties, including fines, temporary restriction from Parliament, a mandatory public apology, and even possible imprisonment against the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Commission, Victoria Emeafa Hardcastle.
The Caucus condemned her conduct following a confrontation with Minority Chief Whip and Nsawam Adoagyiri member, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, which they describe as a blatant act of contempt against the Legislature.
Ms. Hardcastle during a confrontation with the Whip at the Appointments Committee sitting on Tuesday described him as silly after allegedly seeking to direct him in the execution of his parliamentary duty.
Minority leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, stressed that this conduct constitutes a serious attack on parliamentary authority and must not go unpunished.
He said, “The incident is one of the most flagrant attacks on the dignity of Parliament in recent memory. Such behaviour strikes at the foundation of our democracy and must be met with firm parliamentary sanctions.”
Annoh-Dompreh vs Emeafa Hardcastle
The matter was raised on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, 28th January, by Hon. Annoh-Dompreh, and legislators from both sides of the House expressed outrage at what they deemed unacceptable disrespect toward the Legislature.
The Minority leader cited Hon. K. T. Hammond v. William Ampem Darko, a precedent where Parliament reaffirmed that no public official has the authority to dictate or verbally attack a Member of Parliament for executing their duties.
“Public officials must understand that interaction with Parliament demands the highest standards of decorum and respect,” the statement emphasized.
The Minority leader argued that Parliament has always stood firm in safeguarding its privileges stressing that the dignity of the House is non-negotiable, and any attempt to undermine it will face severe consequences.
With Parliament’s Committee on Privileges and Immunities yet to be constituted, Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has opted to personally hear representations from both parties on Thursday, 30th January.
The Speaker’s ruling, expected on Friday, is anticipated to set a strong precedent.
Afenyo-Markin stressed that the Minority expects nothing less than a decisive ruling from the Speaker that will deter future occurrences of such contemptuous behaviour.
By Osumanu Al-Hassan/thenewsbulletin24.com
