Government Announces New Hajj Fares, Reduces From GH¢75,000 To GH¢62,000

Government Announces New Hajj Fares, Reduces From GH¢75,000 To GH¢62,000

  • The government has reduced the fees for the Hajj pilgrimage from GH¢75,000 to GH¢62,000 after an earlier promise
  • This reduction is expected to increase Ghana's quota for the number of Muslims who will embark on the pilgrimage
  • The chairman of the interim Hajj task force also outlined the government’s plans to address existing challenges associated with the pilgrimage

The government has reduced the fees for the Hajj pilgrimage from GH¢75,000 to GH¢62,000.

This reduction is in fulfilment of a promise by the Mahama administration.

Hajj, Mecca, Collins Dauda, Hajj Board, Islam
Government reduces Hajj fares from GH¢75,000 to GH¢62,000.
Source: Facebook

Adom News reported that this decision is expected to increase Ghana's quota for the number of Muslims who will embark on the pilgrimage.

Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, February 5, after a meeting with Saudi authorities, MP for Asutifi South and chairman of the interim Hajj task force, Collins Dauda, outlined the government’s plans to address existing challenges associated with the pilgrimage.

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“Through diligent negotiations and collaborations, the task force has successfully secured a significant reduction in the Hajj fare for 2025. Upon the advice of the president, the fare for 2025 Hajj has been set at GH¢62,000, which is equivalent to $4,130.”

In Côte d’Ivoire, pilgrims paid approximately $5,500 for the 2024 Hajj, with the same fee maintained for 2025.

Dauda also said the previous government left behind a public debt of GH¢81,142,899.90 from past Hajj pilgrimage trips.

He said the debt was owed to various firms that provided services for the pilgrimage.

Over 4,000 Ghanaian pilgrims went to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to perform the annual Hajj ritual in 2024.

Two Ghanaian Hajj pilgrims died from various health complications in Saudi Arabia.

Reports indicated that the deceased persons, believed to be from Damongo in the Savannah region, passed away on Sunday, June 9, and Wednesday, June 12, 2024.

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The Hajj pilgrimage can be physically taxing in average years, and worshippers this year face the added challenge of high temperatures which can rise to 42 degrees Celsius.

Mahama promises Muslims extra holiday

YEN.com.gh reported that President John Mahama previously promised Muslims an additional Eid holiday if he became president.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer said he wants Muslims to enjoy the Eid holidays at the end of Ramadan.

His promise is in response to concerns that the Muslim community members cannot enjoy the Eid holiday at the end of Ramadan.

He added that they would remove one other holiday to ensure Ghana has the same number of public holidays annually.

Proofread by Samuel Gitonga, Copy Editor at YEN.com.gh

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Source: YEN.com.gh

Authors:
Delali Adogla-Bessa avatar

Delali Adogla-Bessa (Current Affairs Editor) Delali Adogla-Bessa is a Current Affairs Editor with YEN.com.gh. Delali previously worked as a freelance journalist in Ghana and has over seven years of experience in media, primarily with Citi FM, Equal Times, Ubuntu Times. Delali also volunteers with the Ghana Institute of Language Literacy and Bible Translation, where he documents efforts to preserve local languages. He graduated from the University of Ghana in 2014 with a BA in Information Studies. Email: delali.adogla-bessa@yen.com.gh.