President John Dramani Mahama on Friday inaugurated a new Hajj Board, tasking the members to operate under clear guidelines, with periodic reporting to the Office of the Chief of Staff at the Presidency.
The Board is responsible for organizing and facilitating the annual Hajj pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Ghanaian Muslims.
The President urged the new Hajj Board to keep open and constant engagement with the Office of the National Chief Imam, with regional imams, with travel partners and agents, and especially with the Saudi authorities; declaring that coordination prevents crisis and communications rumors.
He said the Government would provide the nursery policy and logistical support to ensure the success of the pilgrimage, but that support must go hand in hand with accountability.
“At the end of each Hajj season, I expect a comprehensive report that covers the finances, logistics, health, and safety outcomes, and the lessons learned to be presented to the Chief of Staff for preparation for the following year,” the President said.
“This transparency will not only sustain public confidence but also ensure that future boards inherit reliable institutional memory.
“Let me emphasize this point clearly. The Ghana Hajj must never be a source of exploitation or profiteering,” it is haram to exploit the sweat of a poor pilgrim, he added.
“It is unacceptable for pilgrims, many of whom have saved for years to suffer anxiety, confusion, or unfair treatment at the hands of officials, or especially middlemen.”
He noted that the operations of the Hajj board must be fully digitized.
“From this year, all authorized payments must be receipted electronically and verifiably,” the President said.
“Any official or agent who is engaged in illegal charges or extortion must be removed and sanctioned in accordance with law. We owe it to the pilgrims and to Allah to protect the integrity of this sacred journey.”
President Mahama noted that the world had changed, and Ghana’s Hajj operations must change with it.
He encouraged the Board to adopt digital tools to streamline its operations, namely registration, communication, and feedback processes.
“Let us move towards e-registration of pilgrims. Let us move towards SMS notifications to their mobile phones.
“And let’s have a Hajj mobile application, an app with a portal that allows pilgrims to register, check their status, check their payments, and their travel information.”
He said they could use digital technology not only to reduce fraud and congestion, but also to improve data management for future planning.
President Mahama said the Hajj belongs to the entire Muslim community across Ghana; saying “it is not a monopoly of any one group”.
The President said from the Zongos of Accra to Tamale, from Wa to Bolgatanga, from Koforidua to Takoradi, the Hajj belongs to the whole of Ghana, and so the Board must ensure that registration and access were fair and balanced across all the nation’s regions.
He urged them to engage traditional leaders and regional Imams so that every community feels represented and heard in the process of the Hajj.
He reiterated that inclusivity strengthens unity, and unity ensures peace.
Six of the nine-member Hajj Board who were sworn into office by the President include Mr Shaibu Mahama, Member of Parliament for Daboya/Administrator, Dr Abdul-Samed Tanko, Mrs Alimatu Issahak, Alhaji Amadu Tanko, Alhaji Masaud Abubakar and Chief Ahmed Ibrahim.
Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko, the Chairman of the new Hajj Board and two female members, who are currently in Saudi Arabia on a national assignment in line with next year’s pilgrimage will be sworn-in at a later date upon their return home.
Mr Shaibu Mahama, on behalf of his colleagues thanked the President for the honour done them and privilege given them to serve the nation.