Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei has returned GH¢70,000 she said was given to members of Parliament’s Appointments Committee as a “gift”, citing concerns over the source of the money.
In a memorandum dated September 2, 2026, and addressed to Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, with Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin copied, Appiagyei said she decided to return the money as a matter of principle.
“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 on the basis of the fact that, primarily I do not know the source of the money being given to me,” she stated.
Appiagyei said she was also uncomfortable receiving any financial benefit connected to the vetting of members of the governing side’s leadership.
She explained that accepting the money could create the impression that she was personally benefiting from a parliamentary process involving colleagues on the Majority side, including Mahama Ayariga and Zanetor Agyemang Rawlings.
“My first reason is the fact that I do not want to enjoy any financial benefit under any circumstances to vet our own colleagues in leadership from the other side,” she said.
Her decision comes against the backdrop of the Minority Caucus’ controversial boycott of the vetting of three Supreme Court nominees, Justice Sophia Rosetta Oduokuwa Bernasko Essah, Justice Edward Amoako Asante and Justice Anthony Forson Jnr.
The Minority had protested the process and declined to participate in the vetting exercise. Appiagyei therefore said accepting money associated with the exercise would be inconsistent with the Caucus’s position.
“Due to the Minority’s protest and non-participation of the vetting of the three Judges… on a matter of principle I consider it totally unthinkable that I should enjoy any gift presented by any of the above judges,” she stated.
She also made it clear that her decision should not be interpreted as an attempt to demand or obtain money from the Supreme Court nominees.
“It is also not my intention to extort any money from any of the above judges,” she added.
According to the memorandum, her decision is also in line with that of Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who had decided to return his share of the money.
Appiagyei consequently instructed that the GH¢70,000 allocated to her be returned to the Majority Chief Whip.
She concluded by reaffirming her commitment to the Minority Caucus and the position it has adopted on the matter.
“I remain committed to the position of our Caucus,” she stated.
