Renowned investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has launched a scathing critique against Pius Enam Hadzide, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA) and the New Patriotic Party parliamentary candidate for the Asuogyaman constituency in the Eastern Region over what many deemed as a “deceptive promise”.
The New Patriotic Party Parliamentary Candidate in the upcoming elections, in his bid to secure votes ahead of the December 7, 2024, general elections has promised his constituents that, if elected, he would facilitate opportunities for their children to travel to the United States through the 2026 World Cup.
According to Hadzide, these trips would provide job opportunities for the youth, who could send money back home to their families. This promise has, however, sparked widespread criticism and accusations of dishonesty, with Manasseh Azure Awuni leading the charge.
In his pointed remarks, Manasseh Awuni called out Hadzide’s inconsistency, labelling his promise to the youth of Asuogyaman as deceptive and opportunistic.
He highlighted Hadzide’s role as a board member of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) and criticized him for what he described as a “cruel” deal affecting sanitation workers under the Youth Employment Agency.
“Pius Enam Hadzide is the CEO of the National Youth Authority. He’s also a board member of the Youth Employment Agency.
“He is asking his Asuagyaman constituents to vote for him as MP so their children could go to the US through the 2026 World Cup and work to bring them money. Meanwhile, he is part of the YEA board that agreed for Zoomlion to receive 850 cedis as payment for the cleaners”.
Manasseh Azure Awuni, a Renowned and award-winning Investigative Journalist
Manasseh Awuni pointed out that YEA’s agreement with Zoomlion only gives GH¢250 to the cleaners, with the remaining GH¢600 retained by Zoomlion as administrative fees.
He emphasized the glaring disparity, noting that these workers are paid a paltry sum, the equivalent of roughly $17 per month, asserting that in stark contrast, some jobs in the United States that Hadzide is touting pay a similar amount for just one hour’s work.
“He is part of a board that approved this cruel deal against the cleaners and at the same time promised the youth in whose name the YEA was created that he would facilitate their travel to the United States to work. If he is interested in the youth, why can’t he ensure they are paid well here?”
Manasseh Azure Awuni, a Renowned and award-winning Investigative Journalist
Australian Visa Scandal
Manasseh Awuni also raised concerns over Pius Enam Hadzide’s past involvement in the 2018 Australian visa scandal when he was the then Deputy Minister of Youth Sports, in which several Ghanaians were falsely presented as journalists to attend the Commonwealth Games in Australia.
Although Hadzide has long distanced himself from the scandal, Manasseh Awuni suggested that his latest remarks are an implicit admission of guilt.
“Is it not curious that the same man implicated in the Australia visa scandal is now making promises about sending people to the U.S. for the World Cup?” Manasseh Awuni questioned”.
James Agyenim-Boateng, spokesperson for the running mate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, echoed Manasseh Awuni’s sentiments, criticizing the New Patriotic Party parliamentary for the Asuogyaman Constituency for his remarks.
He stated that Puis Enam Hadzide’s recent campaign video effectively confirms his role in the Australian visa scandal.
“Pius fought very hard to distance himself from that disgraceful event, but it seems he has now confessed to his involvement through his campaign promises,” Agyenim-Boateng wrote in a statement.
Mr Agyenim Boateng argued that such promises are not only misleading but also distract from more pressing issues, such as youth unemployment and poor wages.
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