The Convention 2024 which was prevented from taking place Sunday, January 07, 2024, at the Black Star Square was due to an unforeseen event that was scheduled at the venue, the Diaspora Affairs Directorate at the Office of the President, has clarified.
Organizers of the pan-African event, New Africa Foundation, had accused the government of ordering them to cancel the programme at the last minute despite granting approval in November 2023.
The event was to host speakers like Professor P. L. O. Lumumba, Julius Malema, Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, and Peter Obi.
The Deputy Director of the Diaspora Affairs Directorate at the Office of the President, Dr. Nadia Adongo Fynn, in a statement, said the decision was because of an “unforeseen” state event scheduled to take place at the venue on the day.
“We write to revoke immediately the permission granted per our letter No.OP/PH/02 dated 11th November 2023 which approved your request to use the Black Star Square for the above event.
“This decision has been necessitated by an unforeseen State Event scheduled to take place at the venue. Under the circumstances, the amount of Ten Thousand Ghana cedis (GHc10, 000.00) paid by your office for the use of the venue will be refunded. We regret any inconvenience this may cause,” Dr. Nadia Fynn said.
Some Ghanaians who thronged the venue on Sunday to participate in the event were stranded as security personnel reportedly denied them access to the facility.
Meanwhile, Freedom Jacob Caesar, the man in the mask behind The New Force whose foundation was undertaking the Convention says he is yet to disclose what his foundation is about.
