Deputy Sports Minister sets the record straight on ‘Twi journalists’ comment

The Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Pius Enam Hadzide has moved quickly to clarify reports that seem to suggest he has denigrated Twi-speaking sports journalists in the country.

The Minister in an interview with GhanaWeb made an argument to the effect that some of the over 40 Ghanaians who were deported from Australia during the Commonwealth Games were actually journalists who failed to meet the requirements for gaining entry into the country.

The Minister in advancing his argument amidst praise and commendations for Twi-speaking sports journalists in the country guessed that
some of the journalists suffered the unfortunate fate because they could not convince the Australian authorities that they are media men.

This harmless comment by the minister seems to have been taken out of context and he has responded swiftly to correct the misconception.

The Minister in a press-release reiterated his admiration and respect for all journalists and mentioned that under no circumstance will he belittle the intelligence of twi-speaking journalists in the country.

"My attention has been drawn to some publications making the rounds that I made comments to the effect that it was journalists who could not express themselves in English language that were deported from Australia. This is preposterous! I never said that and I would never say that. I respect the people of Ghana particularly Ghanaian journalists too much to make such an unguarded statement. Out of that respect I recently agreed to and engaged with the SWAG even off record. I granted a 30 Mins interview to the ghanaweb and along the line I explained that not all who were returned from Australia were impersonators that indeed one or two were journalists that I know who worked with some major two stations were also regrettably returned. I only sort to clarify a question regarding impersonation."

"This honest clarification is now being twisted to cause disaffection for me. I humbly and respectfully ask you all to disregard those reports and please have the assurances of my highest consideration of Ghanaian journalists," he wrote.

Pius Hadzide, since his appointment has enjoyed a successful relationship with the media. He is known to be a Minister who respects the journalism profession and has always opened his doors for journalists in the country.