Businessman and economic policy analyst Senyo Hosi has opposed calls in Parliament for disciplinary action against the Acting Chief Executive of the Petroleum Commission, Emeafa Hardcastle.

This follows a verbal altercation with Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh.

Mr Hosi argued that Members of Parliament are not beyond criticism and must remain humble in their interactions with citizens.

In a Facebook post, he dismissed Mr Annoh-Dompreh’s call for the Speaker of Parliament to sanction Hardcastle, insisting that Parliament’s authority does not extend beyond formal sittings.

“It is only when Parliament is constituted that submissions to a parliamentarian on the floor or to Parliament can be contemptuous,” Mr Hosi wrote.

“Once Parliament rises, an MP is simply just another citizen. The building of Parliament is not Parliament. It is the sitting of its membership that is.”

The controversy stems from an exchange on January 28, 2025, during the vetting of Defence Minister-designate, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah.

During a brief suspension of proceedings at Parliament’s Appointments Committee, Ms Hardcastle and Mr Annoh-Dompreh reportedly engaged in a heated confrontation.

As Mr Annoh-Dompreh exited the room, Ms Hardcastle allegedly challenged him, questioning his authority and dismissing what she saw as an attempt to intimidate her.

“You are threatening me that you are taking me on? Who are you? What do you mean by taking me on? You are a micro-minority.

"Doesn’t Mr Afenyo-Markin himself use that phrase? I don’t have time for that. You think you can bully me here?” she was reported to have said.

An enraged Mr Annoh-Dompreh later raised the issue on the floor of Parliament, calling the exchange disrespectful and urging the Speaker to take disciplinary action.

Senyo Hosi, however, firmly rejected this stance, defending Ms Hardcastle’s right to speak her mind and condemning what he saw as an attempt to silence a citizen through political influence.

“You threaten a citizen, saying you will deal with her, and expect her to be cowed?” Mr Hosi questioned. “I do not tolerate bullies, and neither does Emeafa.”

On calls for Ms Hardcastle to issue a public apology, Hosi revealed that she had already apologised privately to Mr Annoh-Dompreh and saw no need for further atonement.

“She owes no one a public apology, especially after apologising privately to the MP. He said it himself yesterday,” he stated.

Despite his criticism, Hosi acknowledged Annoh-Dompreh’s eventual restraint but suggested that he could have handled the situation with more composure earlier.

“I commend Mr Annoh-Dompreh for his composure on set. I wish he had done it earlier to avoid the provocation,” he noted.

Mr Hosi ended his statement with a broader message on governance, urging MPs to remember that their power comes from the people.

“I respect Parliament, but its members are not superior humans,” he said.

“Respect the citizens, and earn respect back. Always remember to be humble, for your power emanates from the people.”