President of Wonda World Estates has finally opened up about the decision that led him to sue the organisers of Afro Nation about a week to the heavily attended event.

In an interview on Joy FM’s Personality Profile, Nana Kwame Bediako, popularly known as ‘Cheddar’, revealed that his decision was not influenced by money or greed.

He stated that he was disappointed and felt disrespected when the organisers tossed him for months after he had told them they were encroaching on his property.

Real estate developers, Wonda World Estates sought to place an interlocutory injunction on the use of the venue for Afro Nation 2019, on December 20 – seven days to the urban music festival.

“Afro Nation was already talking business with me about me renting all of my apartment and hotels to be able to host their stars who were coming in, so we were already in business.

“And then, (three months before the show) I told them about the land when I found out...gave them my title of ownership and said ‘go and do your search report with the land registry and commission,” he said.

His actions raised eyebrows and concerns from Ghanaians who thought he was taking these steps to rake in some profit. Others also felt his actions were going to tarnish the image of the country and Africa as a whole.

However, before the injunction was granted Wonda World dropped the suit explaining that the company along with the three others sued (La Bone Maabii Association, Afro Nation Ghana Limited and Rave Marketing Solutions Limited) would jointly host a party to mark the end of the Year of Return.

According to him, when Afro Nation organisers got back with proof that they were indeed encroaching on his land, he refused money as a bailout.

“I didn’t want to be in that cheap zone where Laboma who were the squatters have already taken money from them. So I said the best thing we can do for each other is we should at least sponsor each other. I sponsor you with my land and you have to give me an endorsement in return with my charity company.”

The endorsement, he disclosed was a mention of his charity, ‘The New Africa Foundation’ - a non-profit organisation that empowers a new generation of African leaders by promoting the Feed 10k Children program and providing free or affordable housing opportunities for low-income families – as sponsors.

The Wonda World Estate President said that the organisers came back to him to get the issue sorted out after he sought to place an injunction on the venue.

According to a settlement agreement, Wonda World decided to allow the Afro Nation concert to take place on any of its properties and in return, jointly host a party to mark the end of the Year of Return. This party was aimed at celebrating the culture and heritage of Ghana and the African Diaspora. “Me of all people, I would never have anything against Africa, I’m the last person to do that,” Cheddar added.