Aspiring presidential candidate Ing. Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, a contender in the upcoming January 31, 2026 presidential primaries, has pledged to significantly curb the lavish spending and ostentatious displays of government appointees.
Mr. Agyepong highlighted that one of the primary issues that has frustrated Ghanaians for years is the excessive use of motorcades by public officials.
He described the use of these convoys as often unnecessary and a wasteful drain on state resources.
He believes that government appointees should experience the daily challenges faced by ordinary citizens to better understand their struggles.
He made these remarks during an interview on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM’s Frontline with host Kwabena Agyapong.
Mr. Agyepong recalled how the former Chief of Staff under President John Agyekum Kufuor, Mr. Kwadwo Mpianin, set a commendable example by eschewing the opulence of power.
Mr. Agyepong also noted that he, too, avoided using a motorcade during his time as Press Secretary for the former President.
He expressed concern that every government, one after another, seems to perpetuate this culture, where every minister feels entitled to a motorcade.
Mr. Agyepong stated, “Our politicians don’t seem to learn from past mistakes. Every minister wants to use a motorcade. Under Kufuor, it was not like that. His Chief of Staff, Mr. Kwadwo Mpianin, avoided using a motorcade. He would often drive himself to work, unnoticed by the public.”
“Unless it is an urgent or emergency situation requiring your presence, why not drive like every other Ghanaian? I never used a motorcade and I always arrived at work on time. The use of motorcades has become a virtual badge of honour. People are even using them in the evenings when there is no traffic,” he added.
Mr. Agyepong believes this practice is a form of indiscipline that reinforces the perception that those in authority are superior to ordinary citizens.
“These things should stop, and if I am elected President, I will lay down the rules to my team, and it will stop. If you are a minister and you don’t want to use the traffic like every Ghanaian, how do you know what they are going through?” he questioned.
He concluded by stressing the need for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to win the hearts and minds of the electorate with messages of hope and respectful discourse, rather than arrogance.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana