Former Deputy Sports Minister and New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for the Asuogyaman constituency, Pius Enam Hadzide, is said to have seemingly admitted that he facilitated the travel of some Ghanaians to Australia during the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
This comes at a time when he campaigns for parliamentary office, where he is promising to create similar opportunities for his constituents if elected.
In a campaign video seen on the X platform, Hadzide emphasized his experience in the sports ministry, particularly regarding his ability to secure travel opportunities for young people. He also made a bold pledge to voters, vowing to facilitate trips to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if he becomes their Member of Parliament.
“Nananom, do you know something? If you’re from Ghana and flying to Australia, it’s an 18-hour flight, and people went [to Australia] through me,” Hadzide told supporters.
He continued, “The next World Cup, which will be played next year, will be in America. It will take just seven hours to get there. If you want your children to go to America to work and bring money to this community, vote for me. No matter where you are from in this constituency, I will facilitate your travel if I become your MP.”
The Australian Visa Scandal
In April 2018, President Nana Akufo-Addo suspended Pius Enam Hadzide after it was revealed that 60 Ghanaians posing as journalists had attempted to enter Australia under false pretenses during the 21st Commonwealth Games.
A statement from the presidency explained, “This decision has been taken following preliminary investigations into the circumstances that led to the arrest of 60 Ghanaians, who had allegedly attempted to enter Australia by false pretenses in the ongoing 21st Commonwealth Games.”
The Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) launched an inquiry into the matter. However, by July 2018, President Akufo-Addo cleared Hadzide of any involvement in the visa fraud and reinstated him to office. Speaking at an NPP delegates’ conference in Koforidua, the president stated, “On the Australian visa scandal, which has exonerated the suspended Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports from any complicity, I will lift his suspension on Monday and return him to office.”
Although Hadzide was officially exonerated of wrongdoing six years ago, his recent admission that he facilitated the travel of Ghanaians to Australia adds a new dimension to the saga. He is now using his government experience as a key point in his campaign, highlighting his ability to help constituents access global opportunities.
His campaign trail continues as he vies for the parliamentary seat in the Asuogyaman constituency, emphasizing the potential for further international opportunities under his leadership.
Calls for prosecution
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has issued a strong call for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Pius Hadzide, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Asuogyaman.
The NDC argues that his actions were improper and warrant legal action. They believe that such an admission undermines his credibility and poses a risk if he is elected to office.
“We know that this declaration may be a mission impossible because Pius Enam Hadzide is not just learning from himself. He is learning from his boss the chief mother serpent of corruption, President Akufo-Addo and his Vice President Dr Bawumia. We are calling for the immediate dismissal of Pius Enam Hadzide as the CEO for the National Youth Authority.”
“He has openly admitted that he was guilty in the Australian Visa Scandal and must be arrested and prosecuted without delay,” Malik Basintale, the Deputy National Communications Officer of the NDC, said at a press conference on Thursday, September 12.