Founding President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe has said in relation to the order to cancel the Convention Event that the Office of the President strangely torpedoed a licensed public event a group of law-abiding citizens had put together.
He observed that the last-minute cancellation of the event left thousands stranded as heavily armed security forces barred entry to the venue, the Independence Square on Sunday, January 7.
“The President in his Constitution Day speech promised to uphold individual liberties and guarantee freedom of assembly and association. Less than five hours after his speech, his office strangely torpedoed a licensed public event a group of law-abiding citizens had put together, leaving thousands stranded as heavily armed security forces barred entry to the venue. The reason? The President’s office had booked the same venue for an unspecified event. Chaotic, reckless and brigandry!” He wrote on Facebook.
The Presidency provided explanation for ordering organizers to cancel te event a few hours before the start on Sunday, January 7.
The Diaspora Affairs Directorate at the Office of the President said it was necessitated by an “unforeseen” state event scheduled to take place at the same venue.
In a press release, Dr Fynn stated, “We write to revoke immediately the permission granted per our letter No.OP/PH/02 dated November 11, 2024, 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.”
Following the cancellation, the organizers said the government directed them to call off the event. They further described the directive to cancel it as shocking after claiming that the government had given them permission in November 2023.
“We regret to inform you that the Government has cancelled the above Pan African Event which was to take place today at the Independence Square in Accra, Ghana. All the special guests have arrived and thousands of people have come from all over Ghana as well as around the globe for this historic event. We have just been informed of the cancellation of this event a couple of hours before its commencement. This event was approved by the government in November 2023. This came as a shock to us and devastation to our dignitaries and special guests who flew in from around the world.
‘Unforeseen State Event’ led to the cancellation of The Convention programme – Presidency
“We at the New Africa Foundation apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused to our audience and the public alike. Please be aware that this situation is and was beyond our control.”
The speakers who were billed to speak included Professor P. L. O. Lumumba, Julius Malema, Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, and Peter Obi.