Former Sports Minister, Nii Lante Vanderpuye had called on the government to publish the names of the Ghanaians who he says have caused the country international embarrassment at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia after they were deported for allegedly posing as journalists.
Although he praised President Akufo-Addo for suspending the Deputy Sports Minister, Pius Enam Hadzide and acting Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Robert Sarfo Mensah, Nii Lante believes The President’s actions are still “not enough.”
“First I will say that it is good for that the president responded to our call [for people to be suspended] and I will commend him for taking such swift action but it’s not enough. What I want to see now is the full list of all the 60 something people who presented themselves as journalists when they are not. We have to know, them, their names, what they do and where they come from. When we get to know them, we will be able to know the real actors in this game,” he said on Citi FM’s current affairs and news analysis programme, The Big Issue on Saturday.
[contextly_sidebar id=”gtB3QgioLtbiarApurvgJpcErEw9Xgff”]Two weeks ago it emerged that some 60 Ghanaians were deported from Australia after they were deemed to be “non-genuine travellers” posing as journalists for the Commonwealth Games.
According to Australian authorities, although all the affected persons had the necessary accreditation, they were not convinced the reported persons were real journalists.
Following the public outcry, the government tasked the National Security Agency to investigate the reports.
The President of the Ghana Olympic Committee, Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah; the Board Chairman of the National Sports Authority, Kwadwo Baah Agyeman; and the Chef-de-Mission for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Mr. Mohammed Sahnoon, were also recalled from the Games to assist in investigations currently being undertaken by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Police Service.
Blame politicians
Mr Vanderpuye also blamed politicians for the embarrassment, accusing them of filling up the travel lists for such international sporting events with their supporters.
“You will see the politicians who are the real actors are left to go. Most of the time it is politicians, government officials and party headquarters, they will bring a list saying these party people, let’s take them there because we will not be able to satisfy them….”
‘I did no wrong’– Suspended Dep. Sports Minister
Meanwhile, Hadzide has said his hands are clean.
Hadzide said he believes that he will undoubtedly be vindicated after the investigations.
“My understanding of the preliminary investigation does not mean that I have done anything wrong. If you ask who was in charge of the International Games Committee, I was the one, so for me, that is enough basis for me to be asked to stand aside for investigations to commence.”
“Let’s all be patient and have faith in the investigation. I know that the truth will be uncovered; and the truth will be that concerning this issue at hand, Pius Hadzide, Deputy Minister, I don’t know anything about it,” he added.
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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citinewsroom.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin