Social media users blast Pius Hadzide over 'I'll send you to the US' comment

Former Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Pius Enam Hadzide, has faced backlash from social media users for suggesting that he will help his constituents take advantage of the 2026 World Cup to travel to the United States of America (USA) if they elect him as their Member of Parliament.

Some individuals expressed their frustration, recalling the infamous 2018 Australia visa scandal. They pointed out how Hadzide allegedly managed to send people to Australia for the Commonwealth Games during his tenure at the sports ministry, yet faced no accountability.

Others criticized him for suggesting to aid some of his constituents to travel abroad to gain votes, instead of focusing on developmental projects that would benefit them.

What Pius Hadzide said:

During his campaign tour in the constituency, Pius Hadzide, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Asuogyaman, claimed to help the youth travel to their desired countries for better opportunities if he is elected.

"I sent people to Australia. From Ghana to Australia is 18 hours, however, I managed to take people there," he said.

"The next World Cup will be played in America. The US is just 7 hours away. Ladies and gentlemen, if you want your children to travel to America to work and bring money home, then you should vote for me. If you are a youth here and you want to travel, vote for me. Me, Pius, I will facilitate your trip," he assured.

About the Australia Visa Scandal

Regarding the Australian visa controversy, Ghana's participation in the 2018 Commonwealth Games was marred by a visa fraud scandal.

Pius Enam Hadzide allegedly helped individuals obtain visas by posing as journalists covering the games.

More than 60 people were deported from Australia for posing as journalists to enter the country during the games in April 2018.

The scandal led to the suspension of the then Director General of the National Sports Authority, Robert Sarfo-Mensah, and Pius Hadzide.

The Bureau of National Investigation launched an investigation into the alleged fraud, and President Akufo-Addo later announced Hadzide's clearance.

Read some of the comments below:

He was involved in Australia visa scandal and nothing was done to him. I hope his constituents will remember that corruption and vote against him.
— Edrino_Greatness (@ExcellenceReign) September 11, 2024

Yes! This is what happens when a crime goes unpunished. It embolden the criminal like Pius Hadzide to mount political platform to promise crime.. They say, "crime has no expiring date"#JoyNews
— Peter Doe Jnr 🇱🇷✨ (@PeterDoeJnr1) September 11, 2024

He still hasn't learnt from his mistakes Kamala Harries or Donald Trump is your cousin keep on with the empty promises
— Hoe (@Larry37117121) September 11, 2024

Yeah he’s capable of doing that, after all he was able to swapped journalists and took along with him illegal immigrants to Australia with each person paying $8k. Thieves in power everything becomes their interest
— SON OF THE NORTH (@OneGeneralMalik) September 11, 2024