The Ghanaian Minaret

Accra: The Ghana Hajj Board has arrangements for persons who may want to embark on Hajj individually without necessarily joining Ghana’s contingent for Hajj this year, the Chairman of the Board, Alhaji Ben Abdallah Banda has disclosed.

He said such persons would be required to secure their Hajj visas through the Ghana Hajj board while making personal arrangements for their accommodations, transportation among other things in Saudi Arabia.

“There is a certain amount, a reduced figure, that you have to pay to the Ghana Hajj Board, then we will do the facilitation for you to get your visa. And you will do the rest of your arrangement,” he said during an interview with GHOne television on Friday.

The Board Chairman noted that the Ghana Hajj Board is the only body in Ghana mandated and recognised by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to secure hajj visas for pilgrims.

He therefore cautioned against making payments and engaging individuals or groups aside the 43 accredited Hajj agents to secure visas.

Moreover, he explained that it was easier for persons who make payments to the appropriate quarter to seek refund for their monies in case they could not make it to Hajj.

He said persons interested in going for Hajj could make one-time payment or start making payment in instalment until the mid-March deadline set by the board.

Ben Abdallah also warned against any attempt to perform Hajj with either an Umrah or tourist visas which was highly prohibited by the Saudi authorities.

Ghana is expected to airlift about 4000 Muslims to perform Hajj this year.

This comes after signing of agreement with the Saudi authorities at the beginning of the year during the Hajj and Umrah Conference.

Each pilgrim is expected to pay a fare of GHS75,000 for the month-long religious rite.