Afenyo-Markin denies allegations of 50-military convoy escort

The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has dismissed allegations that he previously moved around with a military convoy of 50 personnel during his tenure as Majority Leader.

Speaking on The KeyPoints programme on Saturday, February 22, 2025, Mr. Afenyo-Markin described the claim as a fabrication.

"I have never had 50 military convoy follow me," he stated.

His remarks were in response to an allegation by Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, who suggested that a Majority Leader had previously been escorted by a convoy of 50 military personnel. While Mr. Dafeamekpor did not explicitly mention Afenyo-Markin, another panelist, lawyer Martin Kpebu, specifically named him as the person being referenced.

The discussion centered on privileges extended to public officials, a topic that has sparked debate over perceived excesses in the allocation of state resources.

In a call-in during the programme, Afenyo-Markin clarified that, as Minority Leader, he is entitled to the services of police outriders for security and logistical purposes.

"I am not the first Minority Leader to have access to police outriders. Haruna Iddrisu had it, Benjamin Kumbuor had it. This is due to the nature of the job, which requires mobility and accessibility. The use of outriders facilitates this process," he explained.

He further stressed that security escort arrangements existed long before he assumed his current role.

"These provisions were put in place before I became Majority Leader. If there is a need for a review, let’s have that conversation. But to suggest that I move around with 50 military personnel is completely false," he said.