ACCRA, Ghana, 14th November, 2025: President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, has inaugurated a newly constituted Hajj Board with a clear directive to ensure a seamless, transparent, and dignified pilgrimage experience for Ghanaian Muslims.
The new Board, chaired by Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko, has been charged to uphold precision, transparency, and innovation in the management of Ghana’s annual Hajj. The president delivered this mandate during the swearing-in ceremony held at the Presidency on Friday, 14th November 2025.
President Mahama emphasized that the Board’s performance must reflect Ghana’s highest standards of planning and service delivery.
“Let us mark the beginning of a new chapter, one where efficiency, honesty, and service define every stage of the pilgrimage process. You are being entrusted with a clear mandate to plan, manage, and execute all matters relating to the annual Hajj in a manner that reflects Ghana’s highest standards,” he said.
He outlined five critical areas in which he expects the Board to work with precision and integrity, beginning with early and predictable planning.
“I expect this board to work with precision and integrity in five critical areas. The first is early and predictable planning. Begin preparations immediately for the next Hajj. Announce schedules, registration processes, and cost structures promptly for pilgrims and agents so they can plan effectively. Last minute changes must become a thing of the past,” he said.
The second focus is transparency and accountability.
“The second is transparency and accountability. Pilgrims and their families must know how their money is used. All payments must pass through approved traceable channels. No unofficial levies, no hidden charges. Transparency builds trust, and trust is a currency of leadership,” he stated.
On the third point, safety, health, and welfare, the President underscored the responsibility to protect and care for pilgrims throughout the journey.
“The third is safety, health, and welfare. Please coordinate with the Ghana Health Service, the Ministry of Transport, and our embassy in Riyadh to guarantee safe travel, decent accommodation, adequate medical support, and happily we have a doctor, a heart surgeon on the Hajj board this time, so I’m sure that the health issues will be well managed. Adequate meals and efficient medical support. Pay special attention to elderly pilgrims, women, and persons with disabilities. Their comfort is also a sacred duty of the Hajj board,” he added.
The fourth area concerns the conduct and professionalism of all officials.
“Then the fourth, every official from the board members to volunteers must act with courtesy, discipline, fairness, and honesty. Our pilgrims should feel respected at every point from registration to their safe return home,” he said.
The fifth and final directive is partnership and communication.
“And the fifth is partnership and communication. Keep open and constant engagement with the Office of the National Chief Imam, with your regional imams, with our travel partners and agents, and especially with the Saudi authorities. Coordination prevents crisis and communications prevents rumors,” he said.
President Mahama reaffirmed government’s commitment to supporting the Hajj process while stressing the need for accountability and structured reporting.
“The government will provide the necessary policy and logistical support to ensure the success of the pilgrimage, but that support must go hand in hand with accountability. The Hajj board must operate under clear guidelines, with periodic reporting to the Office of the Chief of Staff. At the end of each Hajj season, I expect a comprehensive report that covers the finances, logistics, health, and safety outcomes, and the lessons learned to be presented to the Chief of Staff for preparation for the following year,” he said.
On his part, the Administrator of the Board, Hon. Shaibu Mahama speaking on behalf of the Board Chairman expressed the Board’s gratitude to the President and assured that they will work diligently for the betterment of Ghanaian Hajj pilgrims.
He was confident that the new Hajj Board will deliver a pilgrimage process worthy of the devotion and trust of Ghana’s Muslim community.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️)/Ahotoronline.com | Ghana 🇬🇭