The Government has denied that it deliberately cancelled the scheduled “New Africa Convention” to sabotage the programme which was to be held on January 7, 2024 under the auspices of a group called “New Africa Foundation”.
In a statement signed by the Director, Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President, Akwasi Awua Ababio and issued in Accra on Monday January 8th, 2024, the government explained that the event organizers in their request to use the Independence Square indicated that the venue was to be used for the Black Star Line Music and Arts Festival 2024 just as had been done for the inaugural festival in 2023.
However, according to the statement, subsequent information revealed that the venue had been secured under false pretenses by the “New Africa Foundation” for the purpose of hosting a political event of a nature requiring substantial police deployment, and for which a permit had not been granted. Hence, the group had invited some political figures like Mr. Peter Obi, a presidential candidate in the recent Nigerian Presidential election; Mr. Julius Malema, the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters in South Africa; Prof. PLO Lumumba, Pan-Africanist, and Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, former African Union Permanent Representative to the United States as speakers for the event.
It was further stated that additional information received by the National Security Secretariat indicated that the organizers intended to deploy pyrotechnics and drones which could not be permitted as they would pose a risk to aviation because the venue is in the path of aircrafts. “Neither the Office of Diaspora Affairs nor other relevant security authorities had been adequately informed of these developments “, the statement added.
Moreover, the National Security Secretariat informed the Diaspora Directorate of the Office of the President that the venue was to be used for another event following a decision by Black Star Line organizers not to proceed with their event.
The government therefore urged the public to disregard any contrary information regarding the cancellation of the event.
