The Ghana Hajj Taskforce, the interim body overseeing Hajj operations in the absence of a formal board, has announced that it has cleared approximately 60 percent of a $5 million debt inherited from previous Hajj activities.
The debt comprised $446,933 owed to catering service providers, $4,429,260 for air travel services, and around $533,333 for educational and training programs, as revealed during a press briefing in February.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency at a sensitisation workshop held in Accra on Wednesday, the Taskforce’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Alhaji Alhassan Bashir Fuseini, stated, “I can tell you that we have settled more than, closer to about 60 percent of the debt.”
“Inshallah, following this exercise, we have reached an understanding with all relevant parties—including the caterers and others—to settle the outstanding debts. We are confident this will be resolved.”
The workshop aimed to educate prospective pilgrims on the rules and rituals of Hajj. It also covered security arrangements, immigration laws, and the regulations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A similar workshop was previously held for pilgrims in the northern region of the country.
Commenting on the preparations so far, Mr. Seth Ibrahim Ayi, the Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Hajj Agents Association, noted that the process has served as a valuable learning experience for the newly appointed taskforce members.
“We make progress along the line but then we come back again due to change of government,” he said.
He called for the institutionalisation of Hajj operations to ensure related activities did not suffer due to change in government.
Sheikh Suleiman Ahmed Mozu , a scholar, said it was incumbent on every Muslim, and for that matter every Hajj pilgrim, to be knowledgeable about the religious rites. “This orientation is the icon of Hajj and Hajj is about education,” he said.
GNA
