‘Mama Pat’ invited by OSP over alleged GH¢70,000 vetting committee payment

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has commenced a preliminary investigation into an alleged GH¢70,000 payment reportedly linked to the vetting of ministerial and Supreme Court nominees by Parliament’s Appointments Committee.

The investigation follows the circulation of a purported memorandum attributed to the Asokwa Member of Parliament and Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Patricia Appiagyei popularly referred to as ‘Mama Pat’, and addressed to the Minority Chief Whip and Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP, Frank Annoh-Dompreh.

According to the document, Mrs. Appiagyei allegedly returned GH¢70,000 said to have been given to her as an advance from the Majority Chief Whip in connection with the work of the Appointments Committee.

The purported memo reportedly raised questions about the source of the money and suggested that the payment could be linked to financial benefits associated with the vetting of two ministerial nominees and three Supreme Court nominees.

However, the authenticity of the document remains in dispute.

In its public notice issued on Friday, September 4, 2026, the OSP said it had taken note of the document circulating in the media and was investigating its veracity, as well as the source and purpose of the alleged funds.

The OSP said the contents of the document, particularly the suggestion that the alleged funds could have the “hallmarks of extortion” of nominees, warranted preliminary inquiries.

As part of the investigation, the anti-corruption agency said it had invited the Asokwa Legislator to appear before it and assist with the inquiries.

“The OSP has commenced preliminary investigation into the veracity of the document, the source of the alleged funds, and the purpose of the alleged funds,” the Office said.

It added that it was “actively investigating all extortion allegations involving Members of Parliament.”

The development comes days after the Minority Caucus walked out of the Appointments Committee during the vetting of three Supreme Court nominees on August 27.

The Minority, led by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, objected to what it described as an unusually compressed timetable for the vetting, arguing that the nominees had been presented to Parliament only days before the exercise.

The caucus maintained that its objection was procedural and was not directed at the three nominees themselves. The Appointments Committee, however, rejected the objection and proceeded with the vetting in the absence of the Minority members. The three nominees were subsequently approved by

Parliament.

The controversy surrounding the alleged GH¢70,000 payment has since taken another turn, with the Minority Caucus disputing the authenticity of the purported memorandum.

Second Deputy Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has reportedly described the document as fake and denied that Mama Pat received or returned any such money.

Mr. Shaib told TV3 that he had spoken directly with Mama Pat, who, according to him, was upset about the reports and had no knowledge of the source or author of the document. He further insisted that neither he nor Mrs Appiagyei had received money to influence the vetting process.

Mama Pat has also reportedly told Graphic Online that the memorandum is fake, distancing herself from its contents.

Despite the denials, the OSP’s is proceeding to investigate the alleged GH¢70,000, its purported source and its intended purpose.

The matter also comes amid broader calls for scrutiny of the allegations. The Africa Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), for instance, has called for an independent investigation into claims of financial payments involving members of the Appointments Committee.

Source: Purefmonlinegh.com || Evans Osei-Bonsu || 2026