By Godwin Owusu Frimpong
Pius Enam Hadzide, the NPP parliamentary candidate for Asuogyaman, has decided to serve a digestible dish of audacity. Mr. Hadzide, seemingly undeterred by his past controversies, boldly offered to help his constituents travel to the United States if they cast their votes his way in the upcoming December elections. He said this at a campaign event on September 10, 2024.
Striding to the podium, Hadzide struck a chord many desperate young people know all too well: the longing for opportunity abroad. “If you desire your children to travel to America to work and send money home,” he declared, a sly grin spreading across his face, “I promise to support you when I become MP!” The promise of facilitating trips to the 2026 FIFA World Cup was his bait, socially engineered to draw in a sea of hopeful faces — but is it a promise grounded in reality, or a political gimmick as flimsy as a two-dollar bill?
Let’s put it into context. Mr. Hadzide’s background as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority and former Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports gives him a veneer of credibility. Still, beneath that facade lies an unsettling track record tied to a visa scandal that once threatened to derail his career entirely. Could it be that his announcement is not just a promise, but a desperate attempt to tug at the heartstrings of a constituency yearning for hope while cleverly diverting attention from the baggage that he carries? After all, how can he preach about travel opportunities when his history includes a blemish of aiding Ghanaians in obtaining visas under dubious circumstances?
For the voters of Asuogyaman, Hadzide’s proposal should spur deeper reflection rather than blind adulation. Are they to believe that he can provide access to American soil for their dreams? Or is this just another round of smoke and mirrors designed to distract from the very real issues plaguing their community — from lack of infrastructure and educational opportunities to rampant youth unemployment? As the political theater continues, one must ask: What’s more likely, that Hadzide’s connections will transform into genuine opportunities for the youth of Asuogyaman, or that this is little more than a classic electoral bait-and-switch?
It’s time for constituents to interrogate this so-called “travel promise” with a healthy dose of skepticism. Traveling to the United States may sound like an enticing opportunity, but it also raises critical questions about civic responsibility and the essence of local governance. Should Voters risk their voice and vote on the fleeting allure of promised dreams abroad rather than encouraging candidates who focus on actual development and betterment of their living conditions back home?
Asuogyaman voters would do well to demand more than the promise of foreign jaunts; they deserve representatives focused on practical solutions and sustainable development. Let’s stop the cycle of chasing the rainbow and start building a resilient society where opportunities flourish right at home.
Godwin Owusu Frimpong
