Parliament backs OSP probe into alleged GH¢70k payment to Patricia Appiagyei

Parliament has given its approval for the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to investigate allegations surrounding an alleged GH¢70,000 payment connected to the Appointments Committee. The Speaker of Parliament has welcomed any lawful investigation into a circulating memorandum, purportedly authored by the Deputy Minority Leader and MP for Asokwa, Patricia Appiagyei.

The memorandum, which concerns the alleged return of GH¢70,000, has faced conflicting reports regarding its authenticity, with some denying that it was indeed written by Appiagyei. In a statement, Parliament noted that they had not independently verified the memorandum's authenticity and would not make a determination on the conflicting claims at this stage.

They emphasized that allegations of payments linked to parliamentary committees, especially the Appointments Committee, are matters that require proper scrutiny. Concerns were also raised about the possibility of the memorandum being fabricated and falsely attributed to a Member of Parliament, as such actions could undermine public confidence in Parliament and its processes.

The Speaker has urged the OSP to conduct their investigation "thoroughly and expeditiously," including determining the memorandum's authenticity and the truthfulness of the claims within it. Parliament has pledged to cooperate fully with the OSP and any other competent investigative bodies in their lawful duties. If the investigation finds the memorandum to be fabricated or falsely attributed to Appiagyei, Parliament emphasized that the appropriate investigative authorities should work with the Cyber Security Authority and other relevant law enforcement agencies to identify those responsible for creating and circulating the document.

Those found responsible would then be held accountable in accordance with the law. The Speaker has expressed that the dissemination and deliberate circulation of documents falsely claiming to come from Members or offices of Parliament is a serious assault on the institution's integrity and reputation. Parliament has urged the public, media, and other stakeholders to exercise caution in sharing the document or making definitive conclusions until its authenticity and circumstances are properly established.