The Hajj Board has welcomed calls for an independent audit of its accounts and operations.
The Board said its report had been prepared and submitted, and it has nothing to hide.
The Chief Imam’s Office yesterday made calls for the independent audit saying allegations of corruption against the Board over the years need to be put to rest.
Read: Search on Hajj pilgrims in Accra yield contrabands
His Spokesperson, Sheikh Shaibu Armiyawo told Citi News that the board needed to be rid of political influence to ensure transparency and accountability.
Responding to the calls, the Communications Director for the Hajj Board, Alhaji Abubakar Siddique said the calls are welcomed.
“There is no institution that is above audit, every institution can be, so we cannot kick against it, who are you to kick against it. The board has submitted its report already,†he said.
In March, Sheikh I.C Quaye, the Chairman of the Hajj Board, announced GHȼ15,000.00, an equivalent of 3,450 dollars as the fare for this year’s 2018 Hajj pilgrimage
He said the actual fare is GH¢19,500.00, but the government has absorbed GH¢4,500.00 of the cost to enable more pilgrims to perform the Hajj.
Read: 2018 Hajj: 435 pilgrims leave Tamale for Saudi Arabia
Sheikh Quaye, who made this known at the official launch of the 2018 Hajj season in Accra, said the board would accept a full direct payment into the Hajj Account with Unibank.
On 5th August, the first batch of 435 prospective Pilgrims for this year’s [2018] Hajj left the Tamale Airport for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
A high-powered government delegation led by the Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Sa-eed bid them farewell.
Chairman of the National Hajj Board, Sheikh I.C Quaye and Interior Minister, Ambrose Derry were also present.
Salifu Sa-eed impressed upon the prospective Pilgrims to serve as good Ambassadors of Ghana in the Saudi Kingdom.
“We want to appeal to the potential Pilgrims to go and serve as Ambassadors of Ghana and abide by the rules of the Saudi Kingdom.â€
Source: citinewsroom.com
