Pius Hadzide explains why Sports Ministry always attracts scandals

Former deputy Sports Minister Pius Hadzide shed light on the recurring scandals plaguing the Sports Ministry during an interview on JoyNews’ PM Express. He emphasized the challenges of managing relationships with various stakeholders, many of whom operate independently and have their own rules. The Minister’s influence over organizations such as the Ghana Football Association or Swimming Federation is limited, as he cannot interfere in their affairs too much, lest he be accused of meddling.

This lack of control and the high turnover rate of Sports Ministers since 1979, with only 15 Finance Ministers appointed compared to 28 Sports Ministers, have contributed to the prevalence of scandals.

Moreover, Hadzide pointed out that the increased scrutiny from journalists has inadvertently helped uncover the corruption and misconduct within the Sports Ministry. He noted that sports journalists, such as Muftawu Nabila Abdulai and Fentuo Tahiru, dedicate significant attention to the sector, which keeps them vigilant and capable of detecting any wrongdoing.

Hadzide suggested that if similar levels of scrutiny were applied to other ministries, the frequency and magnitude of scandals might be reduced. The recent 2026 World Cup Visa scandal led to the suspension of the NSA Director General and growing calls for the resignation of the Sports Minister.