The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, when Ms. Hardcastle allegedly made disparaging remarks about Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the Majority Chief Whip, in connection with his parliamentary duties. According to reports, Ms. Hardcastle described Annoh-Dompreh’s actions regarding Dr. Edward Omane Boamah as "silly."
The matter was brought to the attention of Parliament by Annoh-Dompreh, sparking rare bipartisan support as members from both sides of the House united to condemn the alleged disrespect.
In a statement issued on January 29, 2025, the Minority Caucus expressed their outrage, describing Ms. Hardcastle’s conduct as a blatant affront to the Legislature. They referenced the landmark legal precedent set in K. T. Hammond v. William Ampem-Darko, which affirmed that no individual, regardless of status, has the right to verbally or physically assault a Member of Parliament for actions taken within the scope of their duties.
The Caucus emphasized the importance of preserving Parliament’s historical commitment to safeguarding the privileges and dignity of its members.
To address the issue and deter similar incidents in the future, the Minority Caucus outlined specific punitive measures they believe are necessary. These include fines, imprisonment, restrictions from accessing parliamentary precincts, and a mandatory public apology. They stressed that any sanctions imposed should reflect the gravity of the offense.
“The sanctity of Parliament must be upheld at all times,” the statement concluded, calling on the leadership of the House to act swiftly and decisively in handling the matter.
Read press statement below:
