President John Dramani Mahama has pledged a significant reduction in Hajj fares for Ghanaian pilgrims next year, provided the cedi maintains its current strength.
Addressing worshippers during Eid ul Adha celebrations at Independence Square in Accra on Friday, June 6, Mahama acknowledged the financial strain this year’s Hajj has placed on families. Despite efforts to ease costs, many still struggled to afford the pilgrimage.
He expressed hope that by 2026, improved exchange rates and ongoing negotiations with relevant agencies and Saudi authorities would ease the burden on pilgrims.
He noted that if current exchange rates had applied, the cost of the pilgrimage would have been around GHS45,000 significantly lower than current fares.
“This year, despite efforts, the cost remained high even though we cut it, but I want to assure you, we are working closely with the relevant agencies and our Saudi counterparts. If Allah accepts our supplications and the cedi continues to show the recent strength that it has shown, I am optimistic that next year we will see a very significant drop in the Hajj fare,” he said.
In a related announcement, Mahama revealed that his team has drafted a bill to make Eid ul Fitr a statutory public holiday.
The legislation, he said, responds to a long-standing appeal from the Muslim community and will soon be presented to Parliament.
Story By: Nana Antwi Boasiako
