The Diaspora Affairs Directorate at the Office of the President has offered clarification on why it intervened to prevent the organizers of The Convention 2024, a pan-African event, from proceeding with the scheduled ceremony on Sunday, January 7, 2024, at the Black Star Square.
Contrary to the organizers’ claim of a last-minute government directive, the Deputy Director of the Diaspora Affairs Directorate, Dr. Nadia Adongo Fynn, explained in a statement that the decision was influenced by an “unforeseen state event” slated to take place at the same venue. The statement aimed to provide context for the unexpected cancellation and addressed the concerns raised by the New Africa Foundation, the event’s organizers, who had earlier accused the government of a sudden reversal despite prior approval in November 2023.
Notable speakers for the event included Professor P. L. O. Lumumba, Julius Malema, Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, and Peter Obi.
The opening statement of the letter reads, “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.”
Please find attached the full statement
