The Hajj Board, after its consultations with the government under the auspices of the office of the Vice President Alhaji Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, has announced the package for this year’s Hajj. This year’s fare has been pegged at GHC I9,500.00, same as last year.
The Board Chairman, Sheikh Ibrahim Cudjoe Quaye speaking at a thanksgiving service in Accra noted that “Muslims interested to perform the hajj this year, are advised to start payments now to avoid any last-minute problems: the policy for payments remains ‘first-come-first-serve”, he stated.
Sheikh Quaye advised that payments could be made directly through the hajj board’s account at Stanbic Bank or through accredited agents. Would be pilgrims must follow up with their agents to be sure their monies have been recorded with the board.
“As long as your payment does not hit the board’s account you have not entered into any transaction with us and therefore bears no responsibility at all to you: be advised” Sheikh IC Quaye warned.
He announced the setting up and enforcement of a deadline for the payments of the Hajj package.
“Critical analysis of past Hajj experiences on why Hajj operations fail could be attributed to the absence of a framework to guide operations,” he noted.
“The release of passports with visas to Hajj agents almost two weeks prior to scheduled departures. This has never happened in the history of Hajj in Ghana.
“The fact that no pilgrim was left behind and no debt incurred makes both the 2017/18 Hajj quite unique.
“The Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana ensured that no pilgrim slept over night at the Hajj Village as was the case before 2017.
The raising of Hajj security operations to the national level by the Ministry of the Interior led to the mobilization of more police and intelligence officers thereby establishing peace and order.
Management and handling of pilgrims’ luggage both in Ghana and Saudi Arabia improved significantly. Every pilgrim arrived with his or her luggage intact.
Allocation of hotel rooms, and distribution of meals was perfectly planned and executed with very little or no complaints.
Variety of food, beverages and fruits were served for breakfast, lunch and dinner to the admiration of pilgrims and other nationals from the West African Sub-region.
Source: Delali Gavor
