Release the report on Australia visa scandal - Serwaa Amihere tells Akufo-Addo after Pius Hadzide’s confession

Ghanaian broadcaster, Serwaa Amihere, has urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to release the report that cleared Pius Enam Hadzide of any wrongdoing in the visa scandal that rocked Ghana's participation in the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Her demand is in reaction to the former deputy sports minister's admission of facilitating visa acquisition for some persons during the games.

"A day after the President at the Bar conference laughed off the tag of “clearing agent”, one of his appointees he “cleared” in the Australian Visa scandal, Pius Enam Hadzide has openly said on tape that he facilitated the acquisition of visas for people to travel for the 2018 commonwealth games in Australia," she wrote on X.

"He told constituents to vote for him as MP so he could facilitate their travel to the USA for the 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP. Remember it was the then Sports Minister Isaac Asiamah who reported his deputy Pius to the President as being involved in the Australian visa scandal but a Police report exonerated him according to the President," she added.

"In light of recent events, I think it is proper for the President to release the report to the public to clear all lingering doubts."

Pius Enam Hadzide during his campaign tour in the Asuogyaman constituency, vowed to help the youth travel to their desired countries for greener pastures if he is voted into power.

In an attempt to persuade the residents, he referenced the infamous Australia visa scandal, indicating how he was able to send individuals to Australia for the Commonwealth Games during his stint at the sports ministry.

"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 the US. The USA is just 7 hours away. Nananom, 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, Puis 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 overshadowed by a visa fraud scandal.

Pius Enam Hadzide allegedly aided individuals obtain visas while posing as journalists covering the game.

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 for the National Sports Authority, Robert Sarfo-Mensah, and Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports, Pius Enam Hadzide.

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

EE/EK