Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei says she has returned GH¢70,000 sent to her by Parliament’s Majority Chief Whip, citing concerns about the source of the money and her refusal to personally benefit from the vetting process.
The Asokwa MP disclosed this in a memorandum dated September 2, 2026, and addressed to Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, with Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin copied.
Mrs Appiagyei said she was not comfortable accepting the money because she had not been told where it came from, particularly as it was linked to parliamentary activities involving Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga and Deputy Majority Leader Zanetor Agyemang Rawlings.
“It is with regret that I return the amount of seventy thousand cedis (GH¢70,000.00) allocated to me as an advance of money from the Majority Chief Whip of Parliament of Ghana. I am returning the money based on the fact that, primarily, I do not know the source of the money being given to me,” she stated.
She added that she did not intend to personally benefit from the process or “extort any money” from the three Supreme Court nominees currently facing parliamentary vetting.
The three nominees are Justice Sophia Rosetta Oduokuwa Bernasko Essah, Justice Edward Amoako Asante and Justice Anthony Forson Jnr.
Mrs Appiagyei’s decision follows the Minority Caucus’ withdrawal from the vetting proceedings over concerns about the procedure and the short notice given to members.
The Minority has argued that the nominees were scheduled for vetting without adequate notice, with Mr Afenyo-Markin insisting that established parliamentary practice requires sufficient time and public notice before such proceedings.
He also stressed that the Minority’s objection was to the procedure adopted by the committee and not to the nominees themselves.
Mrs Appiagyei said her decision to return the money was consistent with that of Mr Afenyo-Markin, who had also returned his share.
