"Ag. CEO of Petroleum Commission and Annoh-Dompreh Clash in Parliament: 'My Friend, Don't Bring Yourself'"

A tense confrontation unfolded during a sitting of the Appointments Committee on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, when Emeafa Hardcastle, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Commission, clashed with Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the Member of Parliament for Nsawam Adoagyir. The incident, which was captured in a video shared by Channel One TV, occurred after Hardcastle used the term “micro” to describe Annoh-Dompreh’s caucus, a comment that clearly upset the MP.

While the exact cause of the altercation is unclear, the video shows Annoh-Dompreh reacting strongly to Hardcastle’s words. It appears that the description of his caucus as a “micro minority” was the primary trigger for the confrontation. Annoh-Dompreh, who also serves as the Minority Chief Whip, was reportedly offended by the remark and responded by allegedly threatening to challenge Hardcastle. This remark did not sit well with Hardcastle, who quickly fired back at the MP.

“You are threatening me that you will take me on because you are who? My friend, don’t bring yourself. What do you mean you are taking me on?” Hardcastle responded, visibly upset by the MP’s statement.

Annoh-Dompreh, however, continued to express his displeasure, emphasizing how he felt the term “micro minority” was a disrespectful characterization of his group. “You called us micro minority?” he questioned Hardcastle.

In response, Hardcastle stood firm, saying, “But you are a micro minority. Doesn’t Afenyo (Minority Leader) himself use that phrase?” She continued to challenge Annoh-Dompreh, adding, “You think you can bully me here?”

The exchange, which was marked by rising tensions, quickly became a spectacle as both figures engaged in a verbal back-and-forth. Hardcastle’s defiant stance suggested she was not backing down, despite Annoh-Dompreh’s objections to the choice of words.

The altercation highlighted the ongoing tensions within the parliament, reflecting the often fiery nature of political discourse in the country. While the exact circumstances leading to the clash remain unclear, it’s evident that the use of certain language in parliamentary discussions can quickly escalate into confrontations, as demonstrated by this exchange.