General News of Thursday, 30 January 2025
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
Businessman and economic policy analyst Senyo Hosi has strongly criticised calls in Parliament for disciplinary action against the Acting Chief Executive of the Petroleum Commission, Emeafa Hardcastle, following a verbal altercation with Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh.
Hosi argues that MPs are not beyond criticism and must remain humble in their dealings with citizens.
In a Facebook post, Hosi pushed back against Annoh-Dompreh’s call for the Speaker of Parliament to take action against Hardcastle, insisting that Parliament’s authority does not extend beyond its formal sittings.
“It is only when Parliament is constituted that submissions to a parliamentarian on the floor or to Parliament can be contemptuous,” Hosi asserted.
“Once Parliament rises, an MP is simply just another citizen. The building of Parliament is not Parliament. It is the sitting of its membership that constitutes Parliament,” he added.
His comments come in response to the clash between Madam Hardcastle and Mr. Annoh-Dompreh, which unfolded on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, during the vetting of Defence Minister-designate Dr. Edward Omane Boamah.
When proceedings of Parliament’s Appointments Committee were suspended for a few minutes, a heated exchange reportedly broke out between the two.
As Annoh-Dompreh exited the room, Hardcastle allegedly confronted him, questioning his authority and dismissing what she perceived as an attempt to intimidate her.
“You are threatening me that you are taking me on? Who are you? What do you mean by taking me on? You are a micro-minority. Doesn’t Afenyo-Markin himself use that phrase? I don’t have time for this. You think you can bully me here?” she was reported to have said.
An enraged Annoh-Dompreh later raised the matter on the floor of Parliament, describing the exchange as disrespectful and urging the Speaker to take disciplinary action.
However, Hosi firmly opposed this stance, defending Hardcastle’s right to speak her mind and condemning what he saw as an attempt to silence a citizen through political influence.
“You threaten a citizen, saying you will deal with her, and expect her to be cowed? I do not tolerate bullies, and neither does Emeafa,” he questioned.
Addressing demands for a public apology, Senyo Hosi noted that Madam Hardcastle had already apologised privately to Annoh-Dompreh and saw no need for further atonement.
“She owes no one a public apology, especially after apologizing privately to the MP. He said it himself yesterday,” he pointed out.
Despite his criticism, Senyo Hosi acknowledged Annoh-Dompreh’s eventual restraint but suggested he should have shown composure earlier to prevent the situation from escalating.
“I commend Annoh-Dompreh for his composure on set. I wish he had done it earlier to avoid the provocation.”
Hosi’s post concluded with a broader message on governance, urging MPs to remember that their power derives from the people and that respect must be earned.
“I respect Parliament, but its members are not superior humans,” he said. “Respect the citizens, and earn respect back. Always remember to be humble, for your power emanates from the people,” he concluded.
