New Africa Foundation Convention cancelled at 11th hour

The highly anticipated New Africa Foundation Convention, which aimed to bring together Africa’s thought leaders to address key challenges in the continent’s development, has been abruptly cancelled. Tension filled Ghana’s Independence Square in Accra as New Force supporters were barred from accessing the venue.

These passionate individuals gathered at the square, passionately singing patriotic songs and demanding entry to the event. Surprisingly, armed military personnel and police officers guarded the entrance, preventing the public from attending. The reason behind this unexpected turn of events remains unclear. Notably, this clash between the government and the New Force group is not an isolated incident.

In November 2023, billboards bearing the name “New Force” mysteriously appeared throughout the country. The spokesperson for this emerging political movement, Shalimar Abbiusi, was subsequently arrested a month later.

Ms. Abbiusi had been caught on video announcing plans for the next election. However, her ambitions were cut short as she was apprehended and taken to court for allegedly falsifying her student residency permit. Although the state dropped all charges against her, the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) re-arrested her outside the courtroom and deported her.