Former Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports Pius Enam Hadzide has defended his decision to promise to help his constituents travel to America for the 2026 World Cup.
Earlier this week, Hadzide, who is a central figure in the 2018 Australia Visa Scandal, was seen in a video promising to facilitate the travel of his constituents to the US for the World Cup if he is elected as the Asuogyaman Member of Parliament.
He also highlighted his credentials, noting his ability to facilitate the travel of over 60 fake journalists to Australia for the Commonwealth Games.
He has faced significant backlash for this promise and has now come out to defend himself.
“I have met many young people in my constituency who have told me they want to travel abroad for one reason or another,” he said in an interview aired on Asempa FM, as monitored by footballghana.com.
“Some have said they want to go and study, some want to work, and others have said they want to go and support the national team when they can now qualify for the next World Cup.
“In my engagement with the community, I made a pledge that as a member of parliament, I will ensure to facilitate their movements outside of the country. I know that we will use the proper and acceptable methods for them to go through that process.
“Some of them may need support for ticket top-ups and other expenses. I'm prepared to help them. So I made a pledge to my people that I will support them in achieving their dreams.
“A few young people want to travel; it's not every Tom, Dick, and Harry in the constituency who wants to travel. Why should there be something wrong with supporting someone who wants to travel abroad?”