By Philip Antoh
President John Dramani Mahama has come to the rescue of the 2025 Hajj Board by clearing a substantial 60% of the $4.5 million debt left by the NPP administration, according to Mr. A.B.A. Fusani, Head of Corporate Governance.
Praising the President’s benevolence towards the Muslim community, Mr. Fusani highlighted that much of the debt, originating mainly from airline costs, including dealings with Flynas Airlines in Saudi Arabia, has now been alleviated thanks to President Mahama’s intervention.
Speaking at the ongoing orientation for this year’s Hajj pilgrims at the Hajj Village in Accra, Mr. Fusani stressed the crucial nature of settling the debts to ensure the smooth passage of pilgrims to Mecca. Without the significant payments made by the Ghanaian government, access for pilgrims to this year’s Hajj could have been jeopardized by the Saudi government.
As part of the orientation program, which aims to educate the pilgrims on the essential guidelines for their journey, Mr. Fusani emphasized the strict prohibitions in place for items like narcotics, hard drugs, and even common cola entering the holy city.
Acknowledging the efforts of the President and the Hajj Board Taskforce, Mr. Fusani highlighted the reduction in Hajj fare from GHC 75,000.00 in 2024 to GHC 62,000.00 in 2025, facilitating the participation of over 6,000 pilgrims this year.
In a move to expedite the passport acquisition process, previously taking a year, the President instructed the Foreign Affairs Minister and the Director of Passports to establish a processing unit at the Hajj Village, enabling pilgrims to obtain their passports in just three days.
Mr. Fusani cautioned against using tourist visas or unauthorized routes to Mecca, emphasizing the Saudi authorities’ strict enforcement of rules and potential repercussions for those who breach the regulations.