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OSP probes alleged GH¢70,000 vetting cash linked to Patricia Appiagyei; Minority says memo is fake
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has commenced preliminary investigations into allegations surrounding GH¢70,000 reportedly allocated in connection with the vetting of ministerial and Supreme Court nominees by Parliament’s Appointments Committee.
The probe follows a memorandum circulating on social media, purportedly authored by the Deputy Minority Leader and MP for Asokwa, Patricia Appiagyei.
The document, allegedly addressed to the Minority Chief Whip and MP for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, claimed that Mrs. Appiagyei returned GH¢70,000 given to her as an advance from the Majority Chief Whip.
According to the memo, the money was linked to the vetting of two ministerial nominees and three Supreme Court nominees.
In a public notice issued on September 4, the OSP said it has begun investigating the authenticity of the document, the source of the alleged funds and the purpose for which the money was allegedly provided.
The Office noted that the content of the purported memorandum raises concerns about the source of the money and possible extortion of the nominees.
“Given the constitutional importance of the Appointments Committee of Parliament and the need to safeguard the integrity of the vetting process,” the OSP said it considered it necessary to investigate the matter.
The OSP disclosed that it has invited Mrs. Appiagyei to assist with the preliminary investigation, adding that it is probing all allegations of extortion involving Members of Parliament.
Meanwhile, Second Deputy Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has dismissed claims that the Asokwa MP returned the alleged GH¢70,000.
Speaking to Citi News, Mr. Ahmed described the letter circulating online as fake, stating that Mrs. Appiagyei herself confirmed she had no knowledge of its origin.
“She has confirmed that she has no idea where the letter emanated from or who authored it,” he said.
The purported letter had claimed that Mrs. Appiagyei returned the money because she did not know its source and did not want to personally benefit from the vetting of government officials and Supreme Court nominees. It also referenced the Minority’s decision not to participate in the vetting of three Supreme Court nominees.
Mr. Ahmed said checks conducted on the Majority side also indicated that no such letter or payment originated from them.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme and Jacob Aggrey
Medical Doctor and dietician, Dr Bernice Korkor Asare, has urged women to take greater responsibility for their lifestyle choices, particularly their eating habits and levels of physical activity, to help reduce their risk of developing breast cancer.
According to her, although, some breast cancer risk factors, such as family history and certain reproductive factors, may not be within an individual’s control, lifestyle choices offer an opportunity for people to take preventive action.
She made this known during a talk on the topic: “Role of diet in breast cancer prevention” organised by Times Ladies Association of the New Times Corporation, publishers of The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator, in Accra on Thursday.
The event themed “Breast Cancer Awareness- Promoting Early Detection, Healthy Eating and Prevention.” 
She noted that having a risk factor did not automatically mean a person would develop breast cancer, but could increase the likelihood of developing the disease compared with someone without that particular risk factor.
“Having close relatives who have had breast cancer, particularly a mother, sister or daughter, may increase the risk, although not everyone with a family history will develop the disease,” Dr Asare opined. Read More.
By Adizatu K. Munkaila
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A group of compassionate friends from Innovation Gospel Impact last Friday visited the management, teachers and learners of the Street Academy in Accra.
The visit was to interact to get a deeper insight into the operations of the Academy that houses hundreds of street and underprivileged children and find ways to support them.
The team was led by Rev. Dr Isaac Apenteng Yeboah, a former Director for West African Mailbox Club and Director for Prisons Support Foundation, and Rev. Dale Sutherland from Washington DC.
The call, according to the visitors was occasioned by reports about the struggles of the Academy despite the occasional support it enjoys from individuals and some corporate entities.
Briefing them, the Founder and Executive Director of the Academy, Dr Ataa Lartey, thanked them for the concern showed, indicating that “this is a major boost for both teachers and learners; knowing that their plight is known by people outside their premises.”
According Dr Lartey, the Academy had planned to undertake a number of project to enhance teaching and learning and also procure facilities for the children with keen interest in sports but had to shelve those plans for lack of finance.
He told the team that their biggest concerns were the monthly utility bills that takes a toll on their finances.
“We have a piece of land we planned to turn into an astro turf pitch to train the younger ones whose interests lies in making a career out of football, however, we have been unable to commence because there is no money now,” he said.
Dr Lartey expressed gratitude to the teachers who have dedicated their lives to training these children, rather than going for well-paying jobs and hoped that with time, their conditions of engagement would improve.
Moved by the plight of the Academy, the group donated a cash amount of Gh₵3,000 to settle its water bills.
They described as unfortunate the conditions of learners and teachers of the Academy and pledged to continuously support their operations to realize the dream to build a better future for the unfortunate children.
The group offered to support the school with its monthly utility bills, feeding and staff allowance and urged the Academy staff to remain in constant touch with them.
The Street Academy is located at the Accra Art Center and offers brilliant but needy the chance to pursue their educational dreams by enrolling them in public schools with others offered training in sports and cultural activities.
By Spectator Reporter
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