The first badge of Ghanaian pilgrims numbering about 433 has been airlifted from the Tamale International Airport to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to perform this year’s Hajj. In all, four flights are expected to travel from Tamale with the Ghanaian contingents starting today June 20, 2022.
Chairman of Ghana Hajj Board, Sheikh I.C Quaye, in his address prior to the departure of the pilgrims stated the Hajj Board has been able to fulfill the directives given by authorities of Saudi Arabia.
“The first being that every pilgrim must have two jabs and I think that all Muslims pilgrims who are here have had the two jabs. The second one is that before you leave here, 72hours to arriving at Saudi Arabia, you must also do the coronavirus test to prove that, actually, you have no coronavirus; and Alhamdulilahi, we thank God that all of you here who are to embark the journey to Saudi Arabia today have been approved having passed the test” he said.
Sheikh I.C Quaye further commended President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for their efforts to ensure that Ghana participated in this year’s pilgrimage after the two year break due to the global Covid-19 pandemic.
“…By the grace of God, the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his able Vice President and the Hajj Board led by me have been able to get Saudi to invite us to attend this year’s Hajj. All the directives that Saudi gave us, by the grace of Allah, we have been able to fulfill all” he emphasized.
The Board Chairman added, “This year’s Hajj is a Hajj of trials – it’s a Hajj of trials because you find that our numbers from about 6,700 has been reduced tremendously to 3,000, so there has been a big cut but the board and of us have been able to work very hard and today we’re embarking for the Hajj”.
Meanwhile, the Hajj Board Director in charge of Operations, Alhaji Farouk Hamza disclosed a total of 1,732 are expected to take off from the Tamale International Airport between Monday and Wednesday.
He further thanked the pilgrims for their understanding and cooperation during the period that the Hajj was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic, assuring them of a comfortable Hajj experience ever organized in the country.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Shani Alhassan Shaibu, implored the travelers to be law-abiding and Ambassadors to protect the enviable reputation of the nation.
He further called on the pilgrims to remember the nation in their prayers to overcome issues of peace and security and the economic difficulties in the country.
