Deputy Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Asokwa, Patricia Appiagyei, has denied receiving or returning any GH¢70,000 payment in connection with the vetting of ministerial and Supreme Court nominees.
The legislator also disowned a memorandum circulating in the media which purportedly bears her name and claims that she received and subsequently returned the money.
In a statement, Madam Appiagyei described the document as ‘fake’ and said she neither authored, authorised nor circulated it.
Also read: GUTA urges consumers not to panic over 5% August inflation
“I state expressly and without qualification that I did not receive any payment of GH¢70,000, or any other sum, from any person in connection with the vetting of ministerial or Supreme Court nominees,” she said.
According to the Deputy Minority Leader, she received no such payment and therefore had no reason to return any money, contrary to the claim contained in the circulating document.
She said she has consistently discharged her responsibilities as a member of Parliament’s Appointments Committee with integrity, including during the recent vetting of ministerial and Supreme Court nominees.
The clarification follows the circulation of the alleged memorandum, which linked her to a GH¢70,000 payment purportedly associated with the vetting process.
Patricia Appiagyei explained that she was attending the funeral of a close friend when she was first informed about the document.
She said the information initially appeared to be limited to what she described as fake news originating from her office, and she believed the fake stamp she had authorised to be placed on the document would be sufficient to deal with the matter.
However, she said the issue gained wider attention after the document assumed prominence in the media.
The Asokwa MP described the alleged fabrication as a serious matter and disclosed that she is seeking legal advice on the appropriate steps to take once the source of the document is identified.
She said she reserves all her rights, including pursuing action against anyone found responsible for fabricating or knowingly circulating the document.
Patricia Appiagyei also suggested that individuals behind the document may be seeking to create divisions within the NPP Minority Caucus.
She described the alleged attempt as mischief intended to “sow seeds of discord” within the Caucus and insisted that it would not succeed.
Despite what she described as difficult times, the Deputy Minority Leader assured members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Ghanaians that the Minority Caucus remains united.
She further reaffirmed the Caucus’ support for NPP flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia ahead of the 2028 general elections.
The controversy comes amid heightened attention on the conduct of the parliamentary vetting process and allegations surrounding the activities of members of the Appointments Committee.