Speaking on Adom FM’s Burning Issues, he attributed the deterioration to ongoing clashes between the Minority and Majority caucuses in both the 8th and 9th Parliaments, which have caused disruptions.

Ricketts-Hagan criticized the conduct of some Members of Parliament (MPs), saying that certain lawmakers deliberately engage in misconduct to appear hardworking to their constituents.

“With the experience I’ve gained from the 7th, 8th, and 9th Parliaments, I’ve realized that parliamentary values and standards are declining. Parliamentary affairs require experience, not climbing over tables and pushing chairs,” he said.

He emphasized the key roles of MPs, highlighting that the Minority is tasked with scrutinizing government policies, while the Majority supports the government’s agenda.

“My job is to push the government’s agenda, not to engage in physical confrontations. If you are a boxer, go to the Bukom Arena,” he added.

The Cape Coast South MP also described the controversies surrounding the vetting of some ministerial nominees as a disgrace in Ghana’s parliamentary history.

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Speaking on the Citi News Mr. Ricketts-Hagan attributed the challenges to the balanced composition of lawmakers from both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), a structure often referred to as a hung Parliament.

Mr. Ricketts-Hagan explained that, this unusual parliamentary arrangement created a challenging environment for decision-making, revealing critical weaknesses in Ghana’s constitutional framework.

Reflecting on the tenure of the 8th Parliament, which concludes at midnight on January 6, 2024, he described it as an unprecedented and intriguing chapter in the country’s political history.

The hung Parliament, with its equal representation from the two major political parties, frequently resulted in deadlocks and heightened partisanship, complicating the legislative process.

According to Ricketts-Hagan, this dynamic exposed gaps in the Constitution, which does not provide sufficient guidance for managing such evenly split legislative bodies.

“The 8th Parliament has been a unique and interesting one,” Ricketts-Hagan remarked. “Having what is known as a hung Parliament has contributed to all the challenges we are discussing. It has also exposed certain gaps in our Constitution.”

He further elaborated on how this parliamentary structure has impacted budget processes.

“We have ended up in this situation due to this very [8th] Parliament. Normally, the mini-budget is presented before elections, usually in November, under the assumption that the government preparing it will either continue in office or be replaced by the opposition. This creates some uncertainty but allows the current government to frame the budget with the possibility of continuity or transition in mind” Ricketts-Hagan added.

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He believes the move could contribute to a reduction in the country’s import bill.

However, he highlighted concerns about the government’s approach, emphasising the need for further fine-tuning of the process.

“The import restrictions bill that K.T. Hammond introduced for me is the right way to go but problematic because of the approach that they are using but we all know that we import more than we export.”

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has presented a Bill to Parliament outlining the government’s intention to impose import restrictions on 22 itemized commodities, including poultry, animal and vegetable oil, margarine, fruit drinks, soft drinks, mineral water, noodles and pasta, ceramic tiles, corrugated paper and paperboard, mosquito coils, insecticides, soaps and detergents, motor cars, iron and steel, cement, polymers (plastics and plastic products), fish, sugar, clothing and apparel, biscuits, and canned tomatoes.

However, the Minority Caucus in Parliament has mounted a strong opposition to it asking the sector Minister to withdraw for further engagement and fine-tuning.

The Minority MPs have vowed to vote against it until the right things are done.

According to the Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the government cannot restrict the importation of goods when there are no ready substitutes.

“If they had created domestic production for some of these items, I would have no issue. But clearly, we know they want to restrict sugar but we do not have a sugar processing plant. The one that Mr Mahama actually constructed, this government is refusing to open it so where is the sugar going to come from? What they are seeking to do is to create businesses for their financiers,” he claimed.

He also expressed worry that with the development, traders might not get the license to import products if they do not have ties with the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

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The incumbent MP polled 21,118 while the Chief Executive of the CCMA, Mr Ernest Arthur of the NPP polled 19,714.

Total valid ballots in the parliamentary election were 40,832. Total rejected ballot were 317.

Akufo Addo polled 20,593, of the 47,225 votes cast while former President John Mahama polled 19,694 votes.

GUM polled 257, CPP- 31, GFP-8, GCPP- 2, APC-4

LPG- 6, PNC- 2, PPP- 15, NDP-6 with the Independent polling 6.

There were 601 rejected- 601ballots

Total votes cast was in the Presidential was 47,225.

In his view, the former President has paid his dues and must take the back seat for his apprentices’ to take the driving seat.

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Former President John Mahama is hoping to correct the wrongs of his administration if given a second chance to govern.

But his expectation is suffering some setbacks following the decision by some of his appointees to contest him in the NDC‘s presidential primaries.

So far, eleven people are vying for the flagbearership position ahead of the crucial 2020 general elections.

Even though some party members believe Mr Mahama is the NDC’s best bet, others also disagree.

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Speaking on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem Wednesday, Kweku Ricketts-Hagan said the NDC needs a fresh face the win the 2020 elections.

Though he has enormous respect for Mr Mahama, he believes his job as President is done.

“I disagree with Mahama’s coming back because there is nothing like an unfinished business in running a government. The baton must be handed over,” the former Deputy Finance Minister opined.

Mr Ricketts-Hagan who is also the Member of Parliament for Cape Coast South said he was a 21st-century leader Ghana needs to develop.

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Among of the candidates vying for the flagbearership position, Mr Ricketts-Hagan is certain he has the best vision to transform the NDC.

“With all the people I’m contesting with, I believe I have the best ideas to get Ghana to the 21^st century,” added.