Ghana Expo Flops: Shame and Debts Galore

The heavily promoted Ghana Expo which just ended Sunday may best remembered for what it was - a major rip off and a non-event.

The event targeted the Ghanaian public resident in Ghana because it was cheap and free to hit, but in the United Kingdom and Europe, supposed to be the real target, the organisers - an unlikely trio of postmen and ordinary Ghanaians of no known pedigree, showed a remarkable acumen to drum up cash for their personal sweat and zero effort for the convenience, and infrastructural support of the exhibitors.

They included Nana Sifa Twum, a stringer for The Chronicle and a host of Hot FM, a local radio station, which broadcasts to a segment of the Ghanaian community in parts of North London.

There has been even more serious allegation of visa racketeering as one of the major sidelines of the whole business, and The Chronicle is investigating that allegation as it swirls around.

The highlight of the weekend's expo was the ?100-per- head dinner/dance, which was very well attended largely because of the extraordinary drawing power of the Asantehene among the large Asante community here and historically rich cultural and political liaison between the British crown and the Government.

But even that was not without some of the embarrassing snafus

Instead of getting a professional master of ceremonies as had been originally scheduled, the small matter of fees for the acclaimed Kwesi Kyei Darkwa now practising his craft in UK, the organisers turned to Metro TV's 'cut price' Paul Adom Otchere who in all fairness to him, tried his best, but unfortunately his best proved less than adequate for an event that was billed to showcase the glory of Ghana. Paul, a student at Ghana Law School, offered his services, free.

Introducing the high table to the Asantehene, Paul put his boot in it when he studiously ignored the women on the high table, including the spouse of UK junior cabinet Minister Hon. Paul Boateng, an acknowledged politician on her own steam, and concentrated on the men. He even mentioned the main architects and organisers of the expo, Messrs Afriyie and

He was later heard to explain too late, that he was not given the CVs of the high table. The very sexist injury had been done, unacceptable even in Ghana, but unforgivable in Britain. Apologies for one guffaw or the other littered the challenging task for young Paul's maiden effort at such a level.

Mr. Antwi Kay of the Ghana Investment Centre was inconsolable, as he felt wounded at the organisational incompetence of the three Ghanaians who produced the event with a lot of moral support from the Ghana High Commission.

Mr. Osei who showed tremendous dedication to the whole effort and never missed a session, put up a brave face, but Mr. Kwamena Bartels who did not make it for the dinner was the first to condemn the organisational ineptitude.

Barely 30 minutes before the arrival of the Asantehene, a number of groups of women, exhibitors who had raised loans to come and exhibit and hopefully sell their wares, broke down and wept noisily at the forecourt of Alexandria Palace, the venue of the exhibition.

They wailed that they had been deceived and let down by the organisers. One group told The Chronicle that they were even stranded as no adequate transport arrangement had been made to convey them to their hotels in East London. They were waiting to ambush the Asantehene with their grievances.

Another man angrily lambasted the organisers at the top of his voice calling attention to one of the organisers, Mr. Afriyie, a postman and ticketing agent.

Mr. Afriyie ignored the wails and stood sentry waiting for the Asantehene. He claimed that they had made arrangements already but the women had missed the van, which took them to the hotel.

The key point was, not one of the exhibitors sold goods totalling ?200. Some of them had not even had the chance to mount their stands before they were driven out because the organisers had only paid for a period.

On the average, the exhibitors spent at least ?1,500 each on tickets, hotel accommodation, and transportation to the grounds and back.

The organisers even charged three pounds entrance fee, but the fury of the exhibitors, forced them to abandon another lucrative sideline.

The major exhibitors like NTCH and real estate developers had absolutely nothing to show for their elaborate efforts.

Manet representatives are quoted to be so irate. Some realtors had paid substantial sums - $2000 for a stand, and some readily called to stop their cheques. One of them, who paid cash, said they would be talking to their lawyers.

PIC: Asantehene at Expo