L-R: Malik Basintale and Pius Enam Hadzide
Malik Basintale, the Deputy National Communications Officer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has accused former Minister of Youth and Sports, Pius Enam Hadzide of promising Asuogyaman constituents U.S. visas during his campaign in the 2024 general election.
Basintale, while explaining his decision to tour the constituency, stated that he aimed to prevent the people from handing power to Hadzide, implying that the New Patriotic Party‘s parliamentary candidate lacked vision.
Speaking on TV3, he asserted that he visited the constituency to convince the people that the NDC’s candidate, Thomas Ampem Nyarko, was the right choice for the constituency.
“I went to Asuogyaman to tell the people why Mr. Thomas Ampem is the best person for them and why they shouldn’t trade their colour TV for black and white. The people themselves told me that Pius goes around promising visas.”
“He goes around saying, ‘I will take you to America,’ but the people said their aim is not to go to America. Their goal is to get jobs and work here. Who doesn’t want to stay in their motherland?”
Basintale continued: “Nobody wants to leave the country, but because times are hard, people feel compelled to flee. If your biggest campaign promise is, ‘I will take you to America…’
“Meanwhile, you are the CEO of YEA (Youth Employment Agency), the highest employment agency, and you’re not employing people, yet you are promising to take them to the U.S. Do you think people will just buy into such promises?”
During his campaign, Pius Enam Hadzide promised to facilitate travel opportunities for his constituents, including taking them to the 2026 World Cup in the United States of America.
In a video posted by Citi FM on X, he highlighted how he had previously assisted individuals in travelling abroad to explore greater opportunities.
“Nananom, did you know it takes 18 hours to travel from Ghana to Australia? Yet, I was able to assist some individuals in making this journey. The 2026 World Cup will be held in America, which is just a 7-hour flight from Ghana.
“If you, nananom (elders), desire for your children to travel to America to work and send money back home, or if you are a young person eager to explore opportunities abroad, I promise to support you when I become MP,” he said in Twi in the video.
Despite the enticing promises, Pius Enam Hadzide, who garnered 21,290 votes, lost the seat to Thomas Ampem Nyarko, who amassed 26,085 votes in the 2024 general election held on Saturday, December 7, 2024.
EE/EK
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