“If Hardcastle is found guilty of disrespecting Annoh-Dompreh, John Mahama should..”

According to reports from GhanaWeb, the Provost of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Prof. Charles Marfo, has called for the removal of Emeafa Hardcastle, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Commission, following her confrontation with Member of Parliament Frank Annoh-Dompreh.

Prof. Marfo stated that if investigations reveal that Hardcastle indeed disrespected the MP during parliamentary proceedings, President John Mahama should take decisive action by terminating her position.

He emphasized that Mahama previously advised his ministers to uphold respect, making it imperative to set a strong example after any findings.

In an interview with Oyerepa TV on January 30, 2025, Marfo remarked that President Mahama highlighted the importance of humility during his ministers’ swearing-in ceremony.

He expressed his belief that if Hardcastle is found guilty of disrespect, she would be the first to face dismissal.

He added that if the Speaker of Parliament confirms the disrespect towards Annoh-Dompreh, it would present a significant opportunity for Mahama to demonstrate his leadership by withdrawing Hardcastle from her role.

“And I think if it is true, then the first appointee of his that he will sack is she,” he stated.

“If the Speaker calls her and she is found guilty of disrespecting Annoh-Dompreh, it will be an opportunity for John Mahama to show leadership and withdraw from the position he gave her,” he added.

The incident, which has drawn attention, was captured in a video shared by Channel One TV.

It shows Annoh-Dompreh expressing his discontent with Hardcastle’s remark that referred to his caucus as “micro” during an Appointments Committee meeting on January 28, 2025.

Following this, the Minority Chief Whip reportedly threatened to take action against her, to which Hardcastle responded by labeling him as “silly.”