The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has welcomed an investigation by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) into an alleged memorandum purportedly written by the Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, concerning the GH¢70,000 she reportedly rejected.
According to the Speaker Parliament was ready to provide the OSP and any other competent investigative authority with the necessary cooperation to establish the authenticity of the document and the circumstances surrounding its creation and circulation.
“The Speaker urges the OSP to pursue the matter thoroughly and expeditiously, including establishing the authenticity or otherwise of the memorandum and the veracity of the claims contained in it,” he said.
Culprits must face law
In a statement dated September 5, 2026 issued by the Director of Media Relations, the Speaker said Parliament remained committed to transparency, accountability and the integrity of its processes, particularly the work of the Appointments Committee.
“The Rt. Hon. Speaker is determined that the facts of this matter be established and that the appropriate consequences should follow in accordance with the law,” he said.
Acknowledgement
The Speaker said Parliament had taken note of a memorandum circulating on social media, purportedly authored by the Deputy Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Asokwa, concerning the alleged return of GH¢70,000.
He acknowledged that the document and reports arising from it had generated considerable public interest.
Parliament was also aware of subsequent reports in which the authenticity of the memorandum and the circumstances alleged in it had been categorically denied, he said.
Proper scrutiny
The Speaker said any allegation concerning payments allegedly connected with the work of a parliamentary committee, particularly the Appointments Committee, required proper scrutiny.
“Parliament views the matter with serious concern,” he said, indicating that of equal, if not greater, concern was the possibility that the document might have been fabricated and falsely attributed to an MP in circumstances capable of undermining public confidence in Parliament and its processes.
The Speaker, however, stressed that Parliament had not independently verified the authenticity of the memorandum and would therefore not, at this stage, make any determination on the competing claims.
‘Expose those behind memo’
The Speaker said Parliament stood ready to extend the necessary cooperation to the OSP and any other competent investigative authority in the lawful discharge of its mandate.
He said if the investigation established that the memorandum was fabricated or falsely attributed to the Deputy Minority Leader, the matter should not end with that finding.
Rather, the appropriate investigative authorities should enlist the assistance of the Cyber Security Authority and other relevant law enforcement agencies to identify the person or persons responsible for creating and circulating the alleged false document.
He said those found culpable should, where the evidence warranted, be brought to account in accordance with the law.
“The fabrication and deliberate circulation of documents purporting to emanate from members or offices of Parliament would constitute a serious assault on the integrity and reputation of the institution.
“Such conduct, if established, should therefore attract the full attention of the appropriate authorities,” the Speaker said.
Caution
The Speaker urged the public, the media and all stakeholders to exercise caution in sharing the document or drawing definitive conclusions from it until its authenticity and the circumstances surrounding its creation and circulation had been properly established.
He said the investigation should establish the facts and ensure that appropriate action followed, whether the allegations contained in the memorandum were found to be genuine or the document was proven to be fabricated.
