A prominent political analyst and commentator, Jacob Osei Yeboah, has expressed strong disapproval and disappointment over the government’s decision to cancel ‘The Convention.’
In a scathing critique, he labeled the move as “shameful” and questioned the rationale behind the abrupt cancellation of the event.
“It’s very shameful for Ghana. What happened was shameful and a blemish on us as a people.”
He conveyed that he had previously encountered similar political maneuvers and plots aimed at undermining and besmirching his reputation.
“I have experienced the same destructive mechanism of the duopoly for the past 14 years, since 2010. The sad thing is that Ghanaians will look on because partisanship, patronage and such a selfless sacrifice to help better the lives of citizens will be stopped by the duopoly.”
Continuing, he mentioned that the President had promised to safeguard the freedom of assembly and association during his Constitution Day address.
He added that contrarily, the scrapping of the event on Sunday sends a different message, and it is something that every Ghanaian ought to denounce.
His comments is in reaction to the cancellation ‘The Convention,’ a programme organised by Ghanaian business mogul, Nana Kwame Bediako, popularly known as Freedom Jacob Caesar or Cheddar.
The Diaspora Affairs Directorate at the Office of the President revealed that it prevented organisers of the pan-African event, ‘The Convention’ from going ahead with the ceremony on Sunday, January 7, 2024, at the Black Star Square due to a state event at the same venue.
The organisers of the event, the New Africa Foundation, were directed to cancel the event at the last minute despite receiving approval in November 2023.
Speakers for the event included Professor P. L. O. Lumumba, Julius Malema, Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, and Peter Obi.
Deputy Director of the Diaspora Affairs Directorate at the Office of the President, Dr. Nadia Adongo Fynn, said in a statement that the decision was because of an “unforeseen” state event scheduled to take place at the venue.
“We write to revoke immediately the permission granted per our letter No.OP/PH/02 dated November 11, 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 added in the statement.