The Ghana Hajj Taskforce has announced a new fare of GH¢62,000 ($4,130) for Hajj 2025, a 17.3% decrease from last year’s fare. This initiative is part of efforts to make Hajj more affordable for Ghanaians, driven by President Mahama’s commitment. An investigation into accumulated debts from previous administrations is also underway, while the pilgrimage quota has been increased to 5,000.
The Ghana Hajj Taskforce has set the new fare for pilgrims at GH¢62,000, equivalent to $4,130, marking a 17.3% decrease from last year’s fare of GH¢75,000. This reduction was facilitated by negotiations made during the recent Hajj conference in Saudi Arabia, aiming to make the pilgrimage more accessible to the Ghanaian Muslim community.
Chairperson Mr. Alhaji Collins Dauda announced this decision during a press briefing in Accra, indicating that it aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to affordability for Hajj participants, particularly ahead of the 2024 elections. The fare reduction represents an approximate savings of $2,000 for potential pilgrims.
Additionally, the Ghana government is addressing a significant accumulated debt of approximately $5.4 million from previous administrations, including obligations to flight services and catering providers. A commitment was made to investigate this financial situation further to ensure transparency and accountability in Hajj preparations.
The Hajj Agents Association’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Seth Ibrahim Ayi, has expressed approval of the new fare structure, stating it would encourage a higher participation rate among Ghanaians, which in turn could generate increased commissions for travel agents. Furthermore, the Hajj quota for Ghana has been increased from 4,000 to 5,000 pilgrims to accommodate more individuals wishing to perform the pilgrimage.
Hajj is a significant annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and the costs associated with it can be a barrier for many people. This Hajj fare reduction initiative by the Ghana Hajj Taskforce is intended to ease financial constraints on Ghanaian Muslims who wish to undertake this important religious duty. The announcement also coincides with political commitments to the Muslim community as Ghana approaches its next general election.
The announcement of a reduced Hajj fare of GH¢62,000 for 2025 is aimed at making the pilgrimage more accessible for Ghanaian Muslims. This move is not only a strategic response to financial challenges faced by previous administrations but also demonstrates the government’s commitment to fulfilling promises made to the community. Enhanced negotiations and an increase in the Hajj quota reflect positive engagements intended to support the growing number of pilgrims.
Original Source: www.ghanabusinessnews.com
