The new multipurpose Hajj Village at the Kotoka International Airport project is about 55% complete, Mawums Limited, the contractor, has revealed.

During a tour of the facility by the Board and Management of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), led by the Member of Parliament for Builsa North and Board Chairman, James Agalga, the contractor indicated that the project will be brought to completion before close of 2026.

The Hajj Village will streamline pre-departure procedures, ensuring a more organized and efficient experience for pilgrims heading to Mecca.

As part of preparations for this year's pilgrimage, President Mahama has also announced plans to airlift 5,000 Ghanaian pilgrims.

The facility, when completed, is expected to improve the management of Hajj operations, easing congestion and enhancing travel logistics for the annual religious journey.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has refuted claims that taxpayer money is being used to fund the construction of the new Hajj Village.

He clarified that the project is solely financed by the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) and does not rely on public funds.

Addressing concerns in a post on X, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu emphasized the government's position, stating, "FACT: The Hajj Village is primarily an Airport Terminal Building for check-in and pilgrim facilitation owned and being built by the Ghana Airport Company. Not a pesewa of taxpayers' money involved."

His comments come in response to public discussions surrounding the financial sources and purpose of the facility.

Some Ghanaians questioned the priorities of the government and what they believed to be the neglect of some communities in devastating state, particularly the Volta Region, battling coastal erosion.

Former Auditor-General Daniel Yao Domelevo has slammed the government for prioritizing the construction of a Hajj Village, arguing that such an investment is unjustifiable given Ghana’s struggling economy.

Domelevo questioned the rationale behind committing resources to a religious infrastructure project while the country faces severe financial challenges.

He pointed out that Ghana is still dealing with the fallout from the $58 million spent on the National Cathedral, which has yielded little tangible progress.

“It is truly astonishing especially as we grapple with recovering over $58 million squandered on the National Cathedral project—that one of the key priorities of the Mahama administration is the fruitless and wasteful Hajj Village project,” he remarked.

His comments came in response to assurances by the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, who claimed that the Hajj Village project would not be funded by taxpayers.

Domelevo dismissed this assertion as misleading, stressing that the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), which is overseeing the project, is a state-owned enterprise. He argued that since the government is likely a major shareholder, public funds could inevitably be involved.

Domelevo further contrasted Ghana’s priorities with Ethiopia’s approach to development. He noted that despite Ethiopia’s significant Muslim population, the country has chosen to invest in infrastructure that boosts economic growth, such as a five-star Skylight hotel with over 1,000 rooms and expanded airport facilities to enhance passenger transit.

In comparison, he expressed disappointment that Ghana is focusing on a Hajj Village. “We should stop celebrating mediocrity,” he concluded.

The next Hajj is set to take place from Monday, 25 May 2026 to Saturday, 30 May 2026, corresponding to 8th–13th Dhul-Hijjah 1447 AH.

Ghana has a history of Hajj pilgrims being asked to pay levies, extra charges, and fees outside the official payment channels to cover their travel and related expenses.

These practices have been widely criticised, as the additional fees often lacked transparency, leaving pilgrims and their families uncertain about how their money was being used.

Consequently, the president has charged this new board to reflect effective leadership by being transparent.

“The second is transparency and accountability. Pilgrims and their families must know how their money is used. All payments must pass through approved and traceable channels. No unofficial levies. No hidden charges. Transparency builds trust, and trust is the currency of leadership”.

The priority area, as mentioned by the President, is the health of pilgrims, particularly of the aged and persons with disabilities.Fifteen lives have been lost in the last two years following their travel to the Holy Land of Mecca.

In 2024, eight pilgrims lost their lives, and their deaths were linked to an extreme heat wave, with temperatures above 41°C. Saudi authorities even directed pilgrims to remain in tents during peak heat hours to reduce exposure.

Although in 2025, the death toll went down by one, five females and two males lost their lives to similar conditions of heat exceeding 48°C, which posed serious risks, especially for the elderly.

To avoid a recurrence, he told the board, to liaise with the Ghana Health Service (GHS), to give priority to the health of pilgrims, particularly the elderly, “coordinate with the Ghana Health Service, the Ministry of Transport, and our embassy in Riyadh to ensure safe travel, decent accommodation, adequate meals, and strong medical support. Happily, we have a doctor, a heart surgeon, on the Hajj Board this time, so I expect health issues to be managed effectively. Pay special attention to elderly pilgrims, women, and persons with disabilities. Their comfort is a sacred duty of the Hajj Board”.

He continued, “The fourth is conduct and service. Every official, from board members to volunteers, must act with courtesy, discipline, fairness, and honesty. Our pilgrims should feel respected at every point, from registration to their safe return home. The fifth is partnership and communication.

Maintain open and constant engagement with the Office of the National Chief Imam, your regional imams, travel partners and agents, and especially the Saudi authorities.

Coordination prevents crises, and communication prevents rumours”.

He also tasked the Board with developing a Hajj Mobile Application to enable pilgrims to register, verify their status, track payments, and access travel information, noting that such innovation would reduce fraud and ease congestion.

In a related development, President Mahama in May this year announced that the continuous appreciation of the local currency could reduce the fees Ghanaian Muslims pay to travel to Mecca to perform the Hajj pilgrimage.

President John Dramani Mahama announced this during his Thank You Tour in Kintampo in the Bono East Region on Thursday, May 29.

According to him, pilgrims are likely to pay as low as GHC 50,000 next year, down from GHS 62,000.

“At the time we started paying for the Hajj, the Cedi was at GHC15.5 to the dollar. So, the fare we came up with for the $4,000 cost to do the Hajj came to GHC 62,000,” he explained.

“Next year, if you do a calculation with where the Cedi is currently—GHC 10.5—it means the fare for Hajj may go below GHC 50,000.”

This year’s pilgrimage recorded a massive turnout following the Mahama-led government’s decision to reduce the Hajj pilgrimage fee from 62,000 to 75,000 Ghana cedis under the previous administration.

Approximately 6,000 Ghanaian Muslims travelled to Saudi Arabia for Hajj 2025. These numbers show an increase of 2,000 Ghanaian participants as compared to 4,000 last year.