Franklin Cudjoe, the Founding President of IMANI Africa, has condemned what he describes as “chaotic, reckless, and brigandry” behind the abrupt cancellation of The Convention event at Independence Square on Sunday, January 7.
Franklin Cudjoe asserted that the Office of the President, in a surprising move, disrupted a licensed public event organized by law-abiding citizens, leaving thousands stranded as heavily armed security forces barred entry to the venue.
In a post on Facebook, Cudjoe pointed out that the last-minute cancellation contradicted the President’s Constitution Day speech promise to uphold individual liberties and guarantee freedom of assembly and association.
He highlighted the paradox of the President’s office booking the same venue for an unspecified event shortly after emphasizing the importance of individual liberties.
“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!” Mr. Cudjoe wrote.
The Presidency provided an explanation for the sudden cancellation, citing an “unforeseen” state event scheduled to take place at the same venue.
The Diaspora Affairs Directorate at the Office of the President, in a press release, 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.”
Organizers, caught off guard by the last-minute directive, expressed regret and disappointment over the cancellation. They claimed that the government had previously approved the event in November 2023 and characterized the sudden change as a shock to both local attendees and international dignitaries.
The speakers who were billed to speak at the canceled event included prominent figures such as Professor P. L. O. Lumumba, Julius Malema, Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, and Peter Obi.