The first batch of Ghanaian pilgrims has departed for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Their departure was announced by the Communications Director of the Hajj Board, Alhaji Mohammed Amin Lamptey, in a media address on Friday, May 1.

They departed on Friday, May 1, at around 11:30 GMT from Tamale Airport for this year’s Mecca trip, with an expected arrival time of 4:00 p.m. GMT.

According to the Hajj Board, of the 6,000 Ghanaians expected to travel to Mecca this year, 430 have been airlifted, leaving 5,570 yet to depart for Saudi Arabia in 18 different flights from May 1 to May 18, 2026.

Mr Amin Lamptey indicated that all measures have been put in place to ensure a successful pilgrimage for the pilgrims.

For a smooth and successful stay in Saudi Arabia, the Board has deployed a team already waiting to receive the pilgrims. They will be there for three days in Medina (It’s one of the holiest cities in Islam, after Mecca) before proceeding to Mecca.

He said, “This year, we have enhanced our communication systems to ensure that sensitive information is handled accurately and shared appropriately”.

For his part, Mr John advised the would-be pilgrims to respect the laws of Saudi Arabia and conduct themselves in a manner that upholds Ghana’s image.

“You are not only carrying 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 said.

Moments before the departure, the Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf John and officials of the Ghana Hajj Board interacted with the pilgrims and bid them farewell.

Also, hundreds of families and well-wishers massed up at the airport to bid farewell to their relatives embarking on the spiritual journey.

In February, the Board announced that it had closed all operational activities needed to prepare pilgrims for this year’s pilgrimage. The operational activities include completing key administrative processes, such as payments, documentation, and passport submissions.

The pilgrimage coordinators, in a formal press release on Wednesday, February 18, with the title “Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana officially closes 2026 Hajj arrangements with immediate effect,” noted that the closure of the arrangements is to relieve organisers of pressure from the high volume of applications and operational demands, ensuring that all processes leading up to this year’s Hajj could be completed efficiently.

Parts of the statement read, “The Administration of the Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana (PAOG) wishes to officially announce the closure of its activities regarding the 2026 Hajj arrangements to ease the immeasurable pressure on administrators.

All operational processes leading to this year’s Hajj, including payments, documentation, and submissions, have been duly concluded, barring any unforeseen circumstances.”

On visa arrangements and issuance, PAOG noted that only prospective pilgrims who submitted all required documents and passports on time will be considered, emphasising that early payment and medical screening are key to ensuring a smooth and efficient 2026 Hajj exercise.

“We wish to emphasise that only prospective pilgrims who submitted their passports and all required documents within the stipulated time frame were considered for the visa process. Visa processing could not commence without full compliance with the documentation requirements. It is important to note that early payment, effective medical screening, and timely passport submission significantly contribute to a smoother, more efficient process for the 2026 Hajj exercise”, the statement added.

PAOG also reminded pilgrims to complete all medical screening in the selected regions nationwide, noting that remaining screening for both Greater Accra and Kumasi is slated for the next three days. It also highlighted the lessons it has learned from this year’s travel arrangements and logistics handling, among other things, which they believe will help reshape and create a smooth run for the subsequent year’s processes.

“Medical screening has been completed in the selected regions and centres. The remaining screenings for the Ashanti and Greater Accra Regions are scheduled for February 22 and 28, respectively. We further wish to state that lessons learned from this year’s operations will strengthen future Hajj arrangements to ensure greater efficiency, transparency, and improved service delivery”, the Hajj organisers said.

Also, “…prospective pilgrims under special arrangements (Protocol) are reminded to submit their passports as soon as possible to complete the process. They are also required to participate in the medical screening in Kumasi or at the Hajj Village in Accra.

Prospective pilgrims and stakeholders are advised to await further official communication regarding subsequent phases of the pilgrimage. The annual Hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, attracts thousands of Ghanaian Muslims each year, with the Pilgrims Affairs Office overseeing coordination, documentation and travel arrangements.