President John Dramani Mahama has cautioned that the Hajj pilgrimage should not be treated as a profit-making venture but rather as a sacred religious obligation for Muslims.
Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony for the new Hajj Village on Friday, February 28, Mahama emphasized that the pilgrimage should not be structured for financial gain.
“I have instructed the taskforce that Hajj is not a business. It is not meant for profit. The Hajj taskforce must not operate with the intention of making money—we do not want to generate profit from Hajj,” he stated.
He further stressed that any surplus funds from the Hajj process should be reinvested into initiatives benefiting Muslim communities.
“If, after the pilgrimage, there is even one cedi left, it should be donated to the poor or used for community projects,” he added.
Additional Holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr
President Mahama also announced plans to amend the Public Holidays Act to grant an extra holiday for the Muslim celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr.
“I have instructed the legal counsel at the Presidency, Madam Marietta Brew, to revise the Public Holidays Act to provide an additional holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr. Starting this year, there will be two public holidays at the end of Ramadan,” he said.
Ensuring an Organized Hajj with Strict Limits
Mahama assured that this year’s Hajj would be well-organized, with a strict limit of 5,000 pilgrims to prevent last-minute complications.
“The taskforce must enforce the 5,000-pilgrim cap strictly. We do not want a repeat of past situations where late payments caused logistical issues, leaving some pilgrims stranded,” he cautioned.
He further revealed that after settling outstanding debts in Saudi Arabia from previous Hajj operations, the government had put measures in place to facilitate a smooth pilgrimage.
“The taskforce has set March 13 as the deadline for payment. We have arranged a pre-financing deal with a local bank, and as of now, all deposits for accommodation, transportation, and other essential services have been settled,” he explained.
Taskforce to Oversee Hajj Operations
To ensure a seamless process, Mahama said a special taskforce, led by Alhaji Collins Dauda, had been set up to oversee this year’s Hajj.
“With the limited time between our government taking office and the upcoming pilgrimage, we formed a competent team, headed by Alhaji Collins Dauda, to effectively manage the Hajj,” he stated.
Mahama’s remarks reaffirm the government’s commitment to ensuring that the Hajj remains a spiritual journey rather than a commercial enterprise while improving the overall experience for Ghanaian pilgrims