He also supposed that Dr. Bawumia’s hands might have been tied due to the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) strategic need to secure support from the Ashanti Region for the upcoming elections.

Mr Ricketts-Hagan acknowledged Napo’s intellectual capabilities but noted that his conduct sometimes comes across as arrogant.

He suggested that this perception could be problematic and urged Napo to be more mindful of his communication style and delivery to improve his public image.

The lawmaker said that Napo’s assertiveness could be misunderstood as arrogance, which might not bode well for his political journey, and emphasised the importance of refining his approach to communication for his own benefit and the overall success of the NPP campaign.

Despite his observations and advice, Ricketts-Hagan made it clear that he does not wish the NPP success in the 2024 elections.

“I do agree that Dr Bawumia wouldn’t have ideally chosen Napo as his running mate. That is why I say, it must be a very painful one. I think the justification, for me, is not what Napo brings to the table in terms of his intellectual capacity and all that but where Napo comes from and that is the Ashanti Region.

“And for me that is what makes a painful choice for Dr Bawumia to choose a guy who will probably bring something to the table, but his hands were tied that Ashanti Region could become a problem for the NPP,” he stated.

ALSO READ:

• NPP will struggle to project Opoku Prempeh to floating voters in 6 months –…

• NAPO is a competent unifier – Justin Frimpong Kodua

The court also asked Mr Ricketts-Hagan to retract the defamatory statements through a press conference and render an apology to the MCE.

The court, presided over by Justice Patience Mills-Tetteh, also charged GH¢100,000 general damages against the MP.

A cost of GH¢5,000 was awarded in favour of the MCE.

The court also restrained the MP together with his assigns, agents and privies from making further defamatory comments against the MCE.

Context

The MCE on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 filed a defamation suit against the MP following what he described as ‘defamatory comments’ about him by Mr Ricketts-Hagan after his confirmation as MCE.

In reference to a press conference held by Mr Ricketts-Hagan after the confirmation of Mr Arthur as MCE, the MP was alleged to have used unsavoury words to describe the MCE.

Suit

In the writ, Mr Arthur prayed the court to restrain Mr Ricketts-Hagan, his agents from further publishing defamatory statements against his person.

A statement of claim accompanying the writ of the MCE said Mr Ricketts -Hagan knew that the statements he published about him were untrue but went ahead to publish same.

Mr Arthur said in the writ that although he was successfully approved by the assembly members as MCE, the MP was bent on tarnishing his image with unprintable words.

It said the statements were made in an environment where the plaintiff (MCE) was well known and was still performing his political duties.

Mr Arthur said the statements by Mr Ricketts-Hagan which were broadcast in the media nationwide had seriously injured his reputation and brought him into public ridicule and contempt.