The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Pius Enam Hadzide, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Asuogyaman, following his recent admission of facilitating the travel of Ghanaians to Australia during the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Mr Hadzide’s remarks made during his current parliamentary campaign, have sparked renewed controversy. His seeming admission is viewed by the NDC as evidence of impropriety, especially given the context of the Australian visa scandal that led to the arrest of 60 Ghanaians posing as journalists in Australia in 2018.
The scandal, which saw Mr Hadzide temporarily suspended from his role as Deputy Sports Minister, has resurfaced following his public acknowledgment of involvement in the travel arrangements.
In his campaign, Hadzide drew upon his time in the sports ministry to highlight his ability to create opportunities for young people, promising to facilitate travel to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if elected to 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 his supporters in a campaign video that has since gone viral. He added, “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.”
This promise, aimed at showcasing his ability to provide international opportunities for his constituents, has been met with criticism, particularly from the NDC. Malik Basintale, the Deputy National Communications Officer of the NDC, strongly condemned Hadzide’s admission, calling for immediate legal action against him.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, September 12, Basintale stated, “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 continued, “He has openly admitted that he was guilty in the Australian Visa Scandal and must be arrested and prosecuted without delay.”
The Australian Visa Scandal
The 2018 Australian visa scandal unfolded during the 21st Commonwealth Games, where 60 Ghanaians, posing as journalists, were arrested in Australia for attempting to enter the country under false pretenses. In response, President Nana Akufo-Addo suspended Hadzide as Deputy Sports Minister pending investigations by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI).
A statement from the presidency at the time 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.”
By July 2018, Hadzide was exonerated of any involvement in the visa fraud and reinstated to office by President Akufo-Addo. The president declared during an NPP delegates’ conference in Koforidua, “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.”
While Hadzide’s role was previously cleared, his recent acknowledgment of facilitating travel to Australia has reignited public debate. The NDC views his comments as an admission of guilt, accusing him of misusing state resources for personal gain and urging authorities to take swift action.