Deputy Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Asokwa, Patricia Appiagyei, has returned GH¢70,000 allocated to her as an advance, citing concerns over the source of the money and the ongoing controversy surrounding the vetting of three Supreme Court nominees.
In a statement dated Wednesday, September 2, 2026, and shared on social media, the MP said she was returning the money because she did not know its source and did not want to receive any financial benefit connected to the vetting of colleagues in leadership from the Majority side.
“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.
Appiagyei said her first reason for returning the money was that she did not know where the funds came from.
“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 Agyemang Rawlings,” she stated.
The Minority Caucus had earlier protested and declined to participate in the vetting of three Supreme Court nominees: Justice Sophia Rosetta Oduokuwa Bernasko Essah, Justice Edward Amoako Asante and Justice Anthony Forson Jr.
Mrs. Appiagyei said the Minority’s position influenced her decision not to accept any benefit connected to the nominees.
“Secondly, due to the minority’s protest and non-participation of the vetting of the three Judges namely Justice Sophia Rosetta Oduokuwa Bernasko Essah. Justice Edward Amoako Asante and Justice Anthony Forson Jnr, on a matter of principle I consider it totally unthinkable that I should enjoy any gift presented by any of the above judges.”
She also stressed that she did not intend to seek money from any of the judges.
“It is also not my intention to extort any money from any of the above judges,” she added.
The Asokwa MP further said her decision was in support of the Minority Leader’s move to return his share of the money.
“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.”
Mrs. Appiagyei concluded by reaffirming her commitment to the Minority Caucus, saying,“I remain committed to the position of our Caucus.”
Read the statement below
