After the cancellation of New Africa Foundation’s Freedom concert at the Black Star Square Sunday, January 07, 2024, the man behind the mask pushing The New Force agenda says he felt humiliated and disappointed, which forced him to ‘take off’ the mask.
Nana Kwame Bediako, after hiding behind the mask with his New Force campaign says the event was to unveil the face behind the mask to Ghanaians and Africa but was unfortunately cancelled.
Speaking with Alfred Ocansey on ‘New Day’ Thursday, January 11, 2024, on TV3, Freedom Jacob Caesar, as he is known in the business environment, noted he felt humiliated when the event was cancelled.
“I felt humiliated after bringing all those people and this happening. I was disappointed. I felt I’m being humiliated. I asked myself, is it because of the mask? How can this mask scare people? I heard a voice talking to me, take the mask off if that’s what will solve the issue,” he disclosed.
Nana Kwame Bediako, has for some months now, stirred controversy in the political space about the elusive ‘Man in the Mask’ with his vibrant ‘The New Force’ campaign until unveiling his identity Sunday, January 07, 2024.
He had planned a concert with seasoned political speakers across the continent for his unveiling but was prevented by state authorities after the venue was taken away.
He was denied the Black Star Square as venue for the event due to an unforeseen event that was scheduled at the venue according to the Diaspora Affairs Directorate at the Office of the President.
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.
READ ALSO: I know nothing about politics – Nana Kwame Bediako
