Annoh-Dompreh clashes with Emeafa Hardcastle over ‘Micro-Minority’ comment

A heated verbal exchange erupted between Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh Dompreh, and the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Commission, Emeafa Hardcastle.

It occurred during a break in the Parliamentary Appointments Committee proceedings on Tuesday, January 28.

Although the exact trigger of the confrontation remains unclear, reports suggest it stemmed from a remark by Emeafa Hardcastle, who referred to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucus as a ‘Micro-Minority’.

The comment reportedly sparked tensions, leading to a back-and-forth between the two individuals.

The incident occurred during a brief recess in the vetting process, as the committee deliberated over whether to suspend proceedings in light of allegations made by activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor, accusing the committee of engaging in bribery.

As members and guests exited the hall, the disagreement between Mr Annoh Dompreh and Mrs Hardcastle became public, drawing attention from those present.

Emeafa: You are threatening that you will take me on because you are who?… what do you mean you are taking me on?

Annoh-Dompreh: You called us Micro-Minority.

Emeafa: But you’re Micro-minority. Doesn’t Afenyo himself use that phrase? Don’t bring yourself. Do you think you can bully me here?

The Appointments Committee has since resumed its discussions, while the sentiments from the controversial exchange have been carried to the floor by Mr Annoh-Dompreh.

Speaking on the floor, Mr Annoh-Dompreh complained urging that the House summons Emeafa Hardcastle before the Privileges Committee.

Why Micro-Minority?

The word was first heard from the Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia on December 13, 2024, when he responded to comments by the then-Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, on democracy.

At a press conference earlier that day, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, called on the NDC leadership to immediately rein in their supporters suspected to be causing chaos in collation centres, stating that their actions were detrimental to democracy.

Addressing the media, Mr Asiedu Nketia criticised the MP, following reports of the invasion of state institutions and, in some instances, the looting of state assets allegedly carried out by young supporters of the incoming NDC administration.

“I heard my junior brother Afenyo-Markin, who, having rejected the position of Minority Leader, is now on his way to becoming a micro Minority Leader. He is bragging that he belongs to a party of the rule of law and all that,” he said.

This occurred weeks after the NPP Parliamentary Leader expressed displeasure at being referred to as the “Minority Leader” following the decision by some legislators to run as independents ahead of the 2024 elections.

On November 11, 2024, Mr Afenyo-Markin also said he would never sit in the seat of the Minority Leader due to what he describes as spiritual reasons.

On January 8, Parliamentary proceedings on January 8 took a dramatic turn when Speaker Alban Bagbin referred to the NPP Members of Parliament as a “micro-minority.”

The description, made during a debate, sparked an immediate protest from the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who described the term as unbefitting of parliamentary discourse.

The Minority side rose in agitation filling the floor with chants against the Speaker’s choice of words.

Mr Afenyo-Markin argued that it undermined the dignity of the NPP caucus.

“The Minority Caucus hereby protest the description given to us by the Speaker,” he said.

The Speaker admitted that Mr Afenyo-Markin was right in his argument.