“If I were the said Parliamentarian, I would simply take off your Bhutanese Wig”- Justice Abeeku
Emefa Hardcastle, the newly appointed CEO of the Petroleum Commission, has found herself embroiled in controversy following a tense exchange with Member of Parliament, Hon. Frank Annoh-Dompreh, during a parliamentary engagement earlier today. The disagreement erupted after Hardcastle referred to the minority in Parliament as a “micro minority,” a comment that was immediately challenged by Annoh-Dompreh.
Hardcastle, in her defense, cited that the term “micro minority” had previously been used by prominent NPP parliamentarian Alexander Kwabena Afenyo-Markin to describe a group within the NPP parliamentary caucus. However, her attempt to justify the remark only escalated the situation. Reports suggest that Hardcastle then referred to Annoh-Dompreh as a “silly child,” a comment that has drawn sharp criticism from both political figures and the public.
The incident quickly gained traction on social media, sparking widespread debate about Hardcastle’s conduct, with many questioning her professionalism and ability to lead the Petroleum Commission. Critics have expressed concerns about how this episode could affect her leadership style and the potential impact on the commission’s staff morale. Kofi Ofosu Nkansah, former CEO of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme, expressed his sympathy for the Petroleum Commission staff, stating, “Ei wei de3 Petroleum Commission staff me ma mo due” (For this, I pity the staff of the Petroleum Commission).
The altercation has also attracted the attention of public figures like Justice Abeeku Newton-Offei, who condemned Hardcastle’s behavior. In a social media post, Newton-Offei criticized Hardcastle for her choice of words and demeanor, suggesting that her appearance and conduct were unfit for someone holding a high-ranking position in government. His post included harsh commentary, where he mentioned, “If I were the said parliamentarian, I would have simply taken off her Bhutanese wig and get a bucket of water to wash off the multiple layers of pons from her face, to reveal her authentic looks.”
