In a surprising move, the government of Ghana has canceled a major Pan-African event, ‘The Convention’, just hours before it was set to take place in Accra on Sunday, January 7th.
The Convention 2024, organized by the New Africa Foundation, was scheduled to be held at the Black Star Square coinciding with Ghana’s Constitution Day. It was set to feature speeches and discussions by several high-profile figures including Professor P.L.O Lumumba, Julius Malema, Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, and Peter Obi.
However, according to a statement by the organizers, the government directed them to call off the event at the eleventh hour, despite thousands of attendees already filling up the venue.
Per reports, the organizers were informed by National Security that the Independence Square venue had been allocated for “security drills” on the same day as The Convention. But the organizers claim to possess a receipt dated November 15th, 2023 verifying payment and approval for the event.
The abrupt cancellation has raised speculation, with analysts concerned about shrinking civic space in Ghana. The organizers expressed shock and disappointment given the months of planning put into the unique Pan-African gathering.
The government is yet to provide an explanation for withdrawing authorization despite earlier approvals. The New Africa Foundation plans to hold a press conference shortly to address the situation.
But according to a journalist at DTS the government says “the day was allocated for “security drills” at the Black Star Square”
a DTS has disclosed that organizers of the event were purportedly informed by National Security that today was allocated for “security drills” at the Black Star Square.
Curiously, organizers(@NAFGlobalHQ) possess a receipt of payment for today’s event dated November 15, 2023, which has been verified. A press conference is about to be held soon. More to come.
Leading voices from across the continent were scheduled to discuss issues like education, health, economic development and governance at the Convention. Now the late cancellation throws the entire event into uncertainty, even as the organizers consider moving it to another country.
