Former Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Pius Enam Hadzide has rejected the description of the 2018 Australian visa affair as a scandal, insisting that allegations surrounding the incident should be distinguished from evidence of personal wrongdoing.
Hadzide made the comments during an interview on Joy News’ PM Express, where he discussed the controversy involving Ghanaian travellers who sought to attend the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia.
The former minister argued that the allegations against him had damaged his reputation, despite his position that no evidence had established that he personally received money to facilitate visas for prospective travellers.
The 2018 controversy emerged after reports that some Ghanaians had allegedly posed as journalists to obtain accreditation and travel to Australia for the Commonwealth Games. The incident triggered public debate about the processes used to select and accredit individuals travelling under Ghana’s official arrangements.
At the time, Hadzide was serving as Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports. He was suspended from his position following the controversy as the government initiated an investigation into the allegations.
The government later announced that he had been cleared and reinstated. However, the affair continued to attract public attention and remained a subject of political discussion.
During his latest comments, Hadzide reportedly questioned whether the incident should be described as a scandal, arguing that allegations of misconduct should be supported by evidence connecting specific individuals to wrongdoing.
He also compared the Australian visa affair with more recent questions surrounding travel arrangements involving Ghanaians and international sporting events. In making the comparison, he pointed to differences in the allegations and the circumstances surrounding the two cases.
Hadzide’s comments have brought renewed attention to the 2018 incident, particularly the circumstances that led to his suspension and subsequent return to office.
The former minister’s position remains that the controversy should not automatically be treated as proof that he engaged in wrongdoing. His remarks also highlight the importance of distinguishing between allegations, investigative findings and established facts when discussing public officials.
The Australian visa affair remains a notable episode in Ghana’s sporting administration, raising questions about travel arrangements, accreditation procedures and accountability in the management of official delegations.
Source: Thepressradio.com
