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The newly established Hajj Board, led by Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko, was sworn in by President John Mahama with a strong demand for accuracy, transparency, and creativity in the administration of Ghana’s yearly pilgrimage.
President Mahama gave a speech to the board during the swearing-in event, outlining five key areas that the team should concentrate on: early and predictable planning, accountability and transparency, pilgrim safety and welfare, official decorum and discipline, and effective stakeholder communication.
He advised the board to start planning for the upcoming Hajj right away in order to prevent the last-minute alterations that have often caused pilgrims to get anxious. He stated that early announcements with clear schedules, registration processes, and cost structures are essential.
On transparency, the President stressed the need for all payments to pass through traceable and approved channels, warning against unofficial levies and hidden charges.
“Pilgrims and their families must know how their money is used,” he stated, adding that trust is the “currency of leadership.”
President Mahama also highlighted the safety, health, and general welfare of pilgrims as a sacred responsibility.
He called for improved coordination with the Ghana Health Service, the Ministry of Transport and Ghana’s Embassy in Riyadh to ensure safe travel, decent accommodation, adequate meals and efficient medical care, especially for the elderly, women and persons with disabilities.
He noted that the presence of a heart surgeon on the board this year would further strengthen medical preparedness.
In order to guarantee that pilgrims feel valued throughout the process, the President also instructed volunteers and authorities to act with decency, justice, and integrity.
President Mahama assigned the board the job of creating a Hajj Mobile Application, an integrated system that will enable pilgrims to register, check their status, track payments, and obtain travel information, as part of efforts to modernize Hajj administration.
He claims that this kind of innovation will lessen fraud, alleviate traffic, and enhance long-term data planning.
“Coordination prevents crisis and communication prevents rumors,” he said, urging the board to be in constant contact with the Office of the National Chief Imam, regional imams, travel partners, agents, and Saudi authorities.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
