On the floor of Parliament, the Minister for Education and MP for Tamale South Haruna Iddrisu, has strongly condemned remarks made by the Acting CEO of the Petroleum Commission, Emeafa Hardcastle, directed at the Minority (New Patriotic Party) Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh.

Noting the comments had implications for Annoh-Dompreh’s reputation, Iddrisu called for a public apology from Hardcastle.

He, also, appealed to the Minority Chief Whip not to escalate matters, since Annoh-Dompreh had complained on the floor of Parliament urging the House to summon Hardcastle before the Privileges Committee.

“The justified request made by the Minority Whip regarding conduct infers damaging his reputation as an elected member of Parliament. Mr. Speaker, as I listened to him, we can only appeal to him that we share what the Hon. MP of Damongo said – that this House must stand united and unanimous in condemning the conduct and demanding an apology for it, but to persuade our colleague not to pursue it further, wanting this matter resolved at the Privileges Committee,” Haruna Iddrisu said.

As an admonishment, also, he underlined the importance of the public and non-members of Parliament knowing the Legislature had penal powers per Article 122 of the 1992 Constitution.

In a viral video, Emeafa Hardcastle was captured saying to Frank Annoh-Dompreh: “You are threatening me that you are taking me on because who are you? What do you mean by taking me on?”

“You called us a micro-minority,” Annoh-Dompreh responded.

“But you are a micro-minority. Doesn’t Afenyo-Markin himself use that phrase? Don't bring yourself. I don’t have time for that. You think you can bully me here?” Hardcastle came back.

Visibly upset, she was also heard saying, “I don't care. Not this silly...”

Annoh-Dompreh reacted, “You heard the word she used. She called me silly.”

The cause of the confrontation is not immediately known but it took place during a break in the Parliamentary Appointments Committee proceedings on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.