Deputy Minority Leader and Asokwa MP, Patricia Appiagyei has rejected and returned GH¢70,000 reportedly allocated to her in connection with the work of Parliament’s Appointments Committee.

Mrs Appiagyei returned the money in a memorandum dated September 2, 2026, addressed to Minority Chief Whip and Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP, Frank Annoh-Dompreh.

According to the legislator, the amount was presented to her as an advance from the Majority Chief Whip. 

However, she said she was not informed about where the funds originated.

“It is with regret that I return the amount of seventy thousand cedis (GHS70,000.00) allocated to me as an advance of money from the Majority Chief Whip of Parliament of Ghana,” she stated.

She explained that accepting money without knowing its source was a major concern and one of the reasons behind her decision to return it.

“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,” the Deputy Minority Leader emphasised.

Mrs Appiagyei also raised objections to receiving money in relation to the vetting of political figures, particularly members of the Majority side.

She cited the vetting of Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga and Environment Minister Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, saying she was uncomfortable receiving any financial benefit from taking part in the scrutiny of her colleagues.

Her decision also follows the Minority Caucus’ withdrawal from the August 27 vetting of three Supreme Court nominees.

“Due to the Minority’s protest and non-participation in 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.

The Minority members of the Appointments Committee had left the proceedings in protest, alleging that the process was not conducted in accordance with the appropriate procedure.

The nominees were Justice Sophia Rosetta Oduokuwa Bernasko Essah, Justice Edward Amoako Asante and Justice Anthony Forson Jnr.

Mrs Appiagyei said it would be inconsistent with the position taken by the Minority for her to accept money connected to the vetting exercise after refusing to participate in the process on principle.

She further stressed that she had no intention of seeking or benefiting financially from any of the nominees.

“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, being either Hon. Mahama Ayariga or Hon. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings,” she wrote.

The Asokwa MP further said her decision was also in line with that of Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin who, she indicated, had chosen to return his share of the funds.

“In lieu of the above, and also in support of the Minority Leader’s decision to return his share of the amount sent to him in that respect, I humbly return the amount of seventy thousand cedis (GHS70,000.00) to be sent back to the Chief Whip of the Majority Caucus in Parliament, bringing to his attention my reasons for doing so,” she added.

She therefore asked that the GH¢70,000 be sent back to the Majority Chief Whip together with an explanation of why she had declined the money.

The development is expected to intensify scrutiny over the purpose and origin of the GH¢70,000 reportedly distributed in connection with the Appointments Committee’s activities, particularly after Mrs Appiagyei stated that she did not know the source of the funds.