Afenyo-Markin Alleges ORAL Team Conducted Drone Surveillance on His Properties

The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has alleged that the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) Committee, chaired by Foreign Affairs Minister-nominee Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has been conducting drone surveillance over his private properties.

Speaking on JoyNews' The Probe on Sunday, February 2, 2025, Afenyo-Markin claimed that his associates had repeatedly reported suspicious drone activity near his residences. However, the Effutu legislator stated that he chose to remain silent, maintaining that he had nothing to hide and that all his assets were acquired legally.

“In Abelenkpe, you’ll be there in the morning, and you’ll see drones flying. The policemen have seen it. They told me, but I said ignore it. Sometimes, early in the morning, we see drones behind the rail line, and I know they are spying on my house. What business do drones have at the Minority Leader’s residence?” he questioned.

His remarks come in the wake of Ablakwa’s vetting on Friday, January 31. Afenyo-Markin also dismissed allegations that his lands in Winneba were state-owned, describing such claims as baseless and politically motivated.

“The gentleman brought a search report and created the impression that my lands in Winneba are state lands. With the greatest respect, they are not,” he emphasized.

The Minority Leader defended his acquisitions, explaining that he has lived in his Abelenkpe residence for over 20 years and that his properties in Winneba were acquired through legitimate business dealings.

“My firstborn is 21. I lived in my Abelenkpe residence before he was born. I’ve had my properties all these years. I am a businessman. I am a well-established person,” he said.

Afenyo-Markin further revealed that before Ablakwa’s vetting, he had a private conversation with him regarding his actions as the ORAL Committee Chair.

“Before his vetting, ask Ablakwa whether we didn’t sit as brothers. I said, ‘Sammy, there were things that you went overboard. I think if you make concessions, we’ll be fine,’” he recounted.

Despite this conversation, Afenyo-Markin alleged that the drone surveillance persisted. He claimed the ORAL team had flown drones over his beachfront property in Winneba, with his staff witnessing the activity.

“I was aware that these ORAL guys have been flying drones in Winneba over my property. I kept quiet. I managed it. They went to my beachfront property, mounted a drone, and flew it from the community center. My boy saw it. I told them to ignore it,” he stated.

The ORAL Committee has yet to respond to Afenyo-Markin's claims.