Don’t turn Hajj Pilgrimage into a profit-driven venture – President Mahama cautions

President John Dramani Mahama has emphasized that the Hajj pilgrimage should be regarded as a sacred religious and spiritual journey rather than a profit-driven venture.

Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony for the new Hajj Village on Friday, February 28, President Mahama stressed that any surplus funds generated from the Hajj process should be reinvested in projects benefiting Zongo communities.

This year, a special task force, led by Alhaji Collins Dauda, was established to oversee the Hajj due to the limited timeframe before the pilgrimage. Following the Hajj, a formal Hajj Board will be constituted, with a chairman appointed to oversee its affairs.

“I have instructed the task force that the Hajj is not a business and should not be structured for profit. The Hajj Board and Task Force must not aim to make a profit. If even one cedi remains after the Hajj, it should be donated to the poor or used for a project within the Hajj community,” President Mahama reiterated.

As preparations for the pilgrimage progress, the Task Force is urging prospective pilgrims and accredited Hajj agents to complete payments and all necessary procedures by March 13, 2025.

To ensure a smooth pilgrimage, measures have been put in place to assist fully paid pilgrims in acquiring their passports. Accredited Hajj agents are encouraged to take advantage of this initiative.

In an effort to make the pilgrimage more accessible, the Task Force has reduced the 2025 Hajj package fee from GHS 75,000 to GHS 62,000, providing financial relief and enabling more Ghanaian Muslims to fulfill their religious obligation.

By Phalonzy