Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei has returned an amount of GH¢70,000 she described as a "gift" to members of the Appointments Committee from the Majority Chief Whip, saying she cannot accept money whose source she does not know.

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 was returning 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.

The Deputy Minority Leader further explained that she did not want to derive any financial benefit from a process involving the vetting of members of the governing side’s leadership.

According to her, accepting the money could create the impression that she was benefiting financially from a process involving colleagues on the other side, specifically Mahama Ayariga and Zanetor Agyemang Rawlings’ vetting.

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“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 also directly links the GH¢70,000 to the Minority’s controversial decision to boycott the vetting of three Supreme Court nominees: Justice Sophia Rosetta Oduokuwa Bernasko Essah, Justice Edward Amoako Asante and Justice Anthony Forson Jnr.

The Minority Caucus had protested and declined to participate in the vetting process, and Appiagyei said accepting money associated with the exercise would contradict the position adopted by her side.

She described it as “totally unthinkable” for her to accept any gift presented by any of the three nominees, given the Caucus’ stance.

“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.

Appiagyei also sought to draw a clear line between her decision to reject the funds and any suggestion that she was attempting to obtain money from the nominees.

“It is also not my intention to extort any money from any of the above judges,” she added.

Her memo further indicates that her decision is consistent with that of Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin, who had also decided to return his share of the money sent to him.

She therefore instructed that her GH¢70,000 be returned to the Majority Chief Whip.

Appiagyei concluded her memo by reaffirming her allegiance to the Minority Caucus, stating: “I remain committed to the position of our Caucus.”



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