Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei has returned GH¢70,000 allocated to her for parliamentary committee work, citing concerns over its source and the circumstances surrounding its payment.

The Asokwa MP said she could not accept funds whose origin was unclear or derive financial benefit from vetting political colleagues appointed to leadership positions.

In a memorandum dated September 2, 2026, and addressed to Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Mrs Appiagyei said the money had been presented to her as an advance from Parliament’s Majority Chief Whip. However, she did not know 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.

Explaining her decision, she said: “I am returning the money based on the fact that, primarily, I do not know the source of the money being given to me.”

Mrs Appiagyei also objected to receiving any financial benefit connected to the vetting of Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga and Environment Minister Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings. “I do not want to enjoy any financial benefit under any circumstances to vet our own colleagues in leadership from the other side,” she wrote.

Her decision comes against the backdrop of the Minority Caucus’ withdrawal from the August 27 vetting of three Supreme Court nominees, Justice Sophia Rosetta Oduokuwa Bernasko Essah, Justice Edward Amoako Asante and Justice Anthony Forson Jnr, over what the caucus described as procedural irregularities.

Mrs Appiagyei said accepting money associated with the process would conflict with the principle behind the Minority’s protest and non-participation. She said it was “totally unthinkable” for her to benefit from a gift presented by any of the three nominees.

She further stressed that she had no intention of “extort[ing] any money” from the nominees and said her decision was consistent with that of Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who she said had also returned his share.

The Asokwa MP therefore asked that the GH¢70,000 be sent back to the Majority Chief Whip, together with an explanation of her reasons for rejecting it. She concluded by reaffirming her commitment to the position adopted by the Minority Caucus.