Accra: The Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana (PAOG) has urged Ghanaian nationals banned from entering Saudi Arabia for hajj violations to not register for the upcoming hajj next year.

According to them, doing so would lead to losses, as no refunds will be issued to any banned individual who attempts to pay for Hajj 2026.

POAG, through its communication directorate, has therefore directed all accredited Hajj agents to refrain from processing or accepting Hajj payments from individuals who have been officially banned by the Saudi authorities.

The directive was to ensure a smooth processing of documents without undue delays and complexities.

In the 2025 Hajj season, some Ghanaian nationals were among the more than 269,000 people sanctioned for not having valid Hajj permits and were prevented from entering Mecca.

In a press statement, the Pilgrims Affairs Office has indicated that the Saudi Ministry of Tourism has prohibited all accommodation facilities in Mecca from hosting anyone who does not possess a valid Hajj permit or a work/residency permit during the Hajj season.

“These measures are designed to enhance safety, reduce congestion, and maintain order throughout the pilgrimage.

“Furthermore, the Saudi government will not issue visas to such persons under any circumstances,” the statement highlighted.