The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called for the dismissal of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Pius Enam Hadzide, following his controversial promise to facilitate travel opportunities for his constituents.
The call comes after Mr Hadzide, also the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Asuogyaman, pledged to help his constituents’ children travel to the 2026 World Cup in the United States if elected.
“Nananom, did you know that it takes 18 hours to travel from Ghana to Australia? Yet, I was able to assist some individuals in making a journey. The 2026 World Cup will be held in America, which is just a 7-hour flight from Ghana.
“If you, Nananom, desire for your children to travel to America to work and send money back home, or if you are a young person eager to explore opportunities abroad, I promise to support you when I become MP,” said Mr Hadzide.
His comments have sparked a mixed response from the public.
The NDC has criticised this statement, referencing Mr Hadzide’s involvement in the 2017 Australian Visa scandal, where several Ghanaians posed as journalists to obtain visas for the Commonwealth Games.
Speaking at a press conference in Asuogyaman, the NDC’s Deputy National Communication Officer, Malik Basintale, demanded Hadzide’s immediate dismissal and prosecution, accusing him of being unduly influenced by party leaders.
He also called on President Akufo-Addo to take swift action.
“We know that this declaration will be a mission impossible because Pius Enam Hadzide is not learning for himself, he is learning from his boss ‘the chief mother serpent of corruption’, Akufo-Addo and the ‘Chief Liar’ Bawumia.”
“We are calling for the immediate dismissal of Pius Enam Hadzide as the CEO of the National Youth Authority. He has clearly admitted that he was guilty in the Australian Visa scandal.
“We are calling for his immediate dismissal and not just he should be dismissed, his immediate prosecution should commence.”
While serving as Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Pius Hadzide was caught up in the Australian Visa scandal.
The controversy involved several Ghanaian nationals who allegedly pretended to be journalists to secure visas and attend the Commonwealth Games in Australia.
Although Mr Hadzide was suspended during the investigation, he was later cleared of wrongdoing and reinstated by President Nana Akufo-Addo.