The accusation, initially floated by Majority Chief Whip Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor during a panel discussion on TV3’s KeyPoints, escalated when private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu directly named Afenyo-Markin as the alleged offender.

“This is a figment of someone’s imagination. I have never had 50 military vehicles follow me,” Afenyo-Markin fired back during a call-in segment on the same program. He acknowledged using police outriders—a security provision he insists is standard for leaders tasked with urgent national duties. “Haruna Iddrisu and Benjamin Kumbuor, my predecessors, had the same access. It’s about efficiency, not extravagance,” he argued, referencing former Minority Leaders who also utilized motorcycle escorts to navigate Accra’s notorious traffic.

The exchange underscores simmering tensions over perceived elitism within Ghana’s political class, particularly as citizens grapple with austerity measures and economic strain. Dafeamekpor’s decision to raise the issue—albeit without naming names—reflects broader public skepticism about whether state-funded security protocols serve national interests or enable lavish lifestyles.

Political analysts note that the controversy taps into a recurring theme in Ghanaian politics: the optics of privilege during times of widespread hardship. “Security for leaders is non-negotiable, but transparency about its scope is critical to maintaining public trust,” said governance expert Dr. Charity Ampomah. “When citizens hear ‘50 military vehicles,’ they imagine resources being diverted from pressing needs like healthcare or education.”

Afenyo-Markin’s rebuttal leaned on precedent, stressing that outriders are a logistical tool rather than a status symbol. Yet critics argue that even modest security details risk appearing tone-deaf. Ghana’s economic climate—marked by inflation above 20% and a recent IMF bailout—has heightened scrutiny of government spending, with social media users quick to lambaste officials for perceived excess.

The ruling party has yet to formally address the allegations, but the incident has reignited calls for clearer guidelines on security entitlements for public officials. Civil society groups urge parliament to publish standardized protocols to demystify the costs and necessity of such measures.

For now, the convoy clash remains emblematic of a deeper divide: in a nation balancing austerity with accountability, even the hum of a motorcycle escort can sound like a provocation. As Afenyo-Markin put it, “Let’s debate policies, not fantasies.” But in Ghana’s charged political arena, the line between fact and perception grows ever thinner.