By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The Hajj Task Force Committee, set up by President John Dramani Mahama to review the cost of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, has announced a reduction in the Hajj performance fare from GH¢75,000 under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s administration to GH¢62,000.
The reduction, according to the Task Force, was in fulfillment of President Mahama’s campaign promise to make the pilgrimage more affordable for Ghanaian Muslims.
The reduction in fees, the task force noted, was a result of extensive negotiations led by a five-member government task force sent to Saudi Arabia to engage service providers and address challenges associated with the pilgrimage.
Speaking during an update on their assignment, Member of Parliament for Asutifi South in the Ahafo region, and head of the task force, Alhaji Collins Dauda, highlighted the government’s commitment to easing the financial burden on prospective pilgrims.
“During the 2024 presidential electioneering campaign, John Dramani Mahama, the President of Ghana, pledged to the Muslim community that if he won the elections, he would do everything possible to reduce the hajj fare. That was to enable our Muslim brothers and sisters to perform the Hajj at a reduced fare.
He also committed himself to making Hajj accessible and affordable. We will recall that last year, the fare was set at GH¢75, 000,” Alhaji Dauda stated.
According to him, the John Mahama-led government, upon assumption of office, acted swiftly on this promise by forming a task force comprising four Muslim representatives to participate in the annual Hajj conference in Saudi Arabia.
The team he explained also engaged directly with service providers in Mecca and Medina to negotiate better rates and improve conditions for Ghanaian pilgrims.
“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 $4130,” he retorted.
The Asutifi South lawmaker has thus assured prospective pilgrims that beyond the cost reduction, the government remains committed to improving the overall Hajj experience by addressing logistical and accommodation challenges faced in previous years.
The reduction in Hajj fees is expected to encourage higher participation in the religious pilgrimage, reinforcing the government’s commitment to fulfilling its promises to the Muslim
