The first badge of Four hundred and thirty (430) Ghanaian pilgrims have departed from the Tamale International Airport to Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj.
The inaugural flight took off at exactly 11:18am from the Tamale International Airport, officially marking the commencement of this year’s Hajj airlift operations.
According to the Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana (PAOG) under the supervision of the Ghana Hajj Board, a total of nine flights are expected to take off from Tamale between Friday, May 1 and Saturday, May 9, 2026.
During the period, over Three thousand pilgrims with each flight transporting an average of 345 passengers for the pilgrimage.
In his address during the inaugural ceremony, the Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf John commended the Hajj Board for successfully organizing this year’s exercise.
The Minister further highlighted the significance of the exercise as stipulated among the five pillars of Islam. He emphasized it is a rare divine opportunity that every Muslim aspires to perform at least once lifetime.
He therefore urged the pilgrims to uphold discipline, humility, and respect during the month-long stay in Saudi Arabia.
Mr. John also entreated the pilgrims to be law abiding while they carry out the necessary activities, emphasizing the importance of cooperation with the foreign authorities and adherence to safety protocols.
“You carry not only your personal faith but also the image of our nation. Let your conduct reflect the values of peace, tolerance, and unity that Ghana is known for” he stated.
The Head of Documentation at PAOG, Alhaji Muntala, described the departure as historic and commendable. He lauded the collaborative efforts of Hajj agents and PAOG staff, whose dedication and professionalism contributed to the success of the exercise.
