OSP investigates disputed GH¢70,000 vetting memo, invites Patricia Appiagyei
The Special Prosecutor is seeking to establish whether the document is genuine and determine the source and purpose of the alleged funds, as the Minority Caucus insists the memorandum is fake.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor has opened a preliminary investigation into a disputed memorandum alleging that Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei received GH¢70,000 in connection with Parliament’s vetting process.
The OSP has invited the Asokwa MP to assist with investigations into the authenticity of the document and the alleged source and purpose of the money.
The inquiry does not establish that the payment was made or that the memorandum is genuine. The Minority Caucus has rejected the document as fake.
In a statement issued on Friday, September 4, the OSP said the contents of the purported memorandum raised possible concerns about payments connected to the vetting of ministerial and Supreme Court nominees.
The document, dated September 2, was reportedly addressed to Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh and attributed to Mrs Appiagyei.
It claimed that she had returned GH¢70,000 described as an “advance” from the Majority Chief Whip because she did not know the original source of the money.
“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,” the document said.
“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 OSP said it was investigating the “veracity of the document, the source of the alleged funds, and the purpose of the alleged funds”.
It said the document’s references to the unidentified source of the money and possible extortion warranted examination.
The purported memorandum also said Mrs Appiagyei did not want to receive any financial benefit from vetting members of the Majority leadership, specifically Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga and Deputy Majority Leader
Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings.
It further referred to the Minority Caucus’ protest and non-participation in the vetting of three Supreme Court nominees on 27 August 2026.
The nominees named in the document were Justice Sophia Rosetta Oduokuwa Bernasko Essah, Justice Edward Amoako Asante and Justice Anthony Forson Jnr.
The Minority Caucus has challenged the authenticity of the memorandum.
Second Deputy Minority Whip Jerry Ahmed Shaib described it as fake.
The supplied material does not include a direct response from Mrs Appiagyei to the OSP’s invitation or indicate when she is expected to appear.
It also contains no response from the Majority Chief Whip about the alleged payment.
The Africa Centre for Parliamentary Affairs has called for an independent investigation, while anti-corruption campaigner Vitus Azeem has urged both the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice and the OSP to examine the allegations.
The OSP said it was investigating all allegations of extortion involving Members of Parliament.
The preliminary inquiry is expected to determine whether the memorandum is authentic, whether any money changed hands and whether the circumstances warrant a full investigation.
Related article: Deputy Minority Leader returns GH¢70,000 from Majority Chief Whip, questions source
Read the full statement below: