The Ghana Hajj Board has announced that the same amount as last year, which is GH 75 000 cedis or $6 250, US dollar equivalent, will be paid by Ghanaian pilgrims wishing to visit Saudi Arabia this year.
At a news conference in Accra, the Chairman of the Hajj Board, Mr. Ben Abdallah Banda said after careful consideration, the Board took a decision not to increase the fee despite increasing costs in Saudi Arabia for Hajj services.
“Last year when the package was announced we did state that we would maintain the same cost irrespective of whether the Cedi loses its value against the Dollar or not. Today we are happy to announce that we are making good our promise”.
Mr. Abdallah Banda stated that the price package includes the visa fee, return flight from Ghana to Saudi Arabia, internal transportation including from Madina to Makkah, Makkah to Mashaa’ir (Mina and Arafat), Mashaa’ir to Makkah, and transportation to Jeddah airport, accommodation and feeding at Madina, Makkah and Mashaair cumulatively for one month.
The airlifting of Ghanaian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia is tentatively scheduled to begin from Tamale on May 30, 2024, and from Accra on June 8, 2024. The return flights are also scheduled to begin on June 28, 2024.
The Board pointed out that the deadline for payment of the Hajj fare is mid March 2024, given the number of activities involved in the Hajj process, such as the presentation of passports to the Board, the issuance of visas, and the preparation of flight schedules to and from the airport.
“Intending pilgrims are hereby encouraged to start payment from now, through their accredited agents who are across the country or directly into the Hajj Board’s account”.
The Ghana Hajj Board is the only legitimate body recognized and mandated by Saudi authorities to organize and manage the affairs of Ghanaian pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj.
