Ghana’s Hajj Board has announced that the fare for the 2018 Hajj pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is GHȼ15,000.00 ($3,450.00).
The Chairman of the Hajj Board, Sheikh I.C Quaye explained that the actual fare would have been GH¢19,500 but the government absorbed GH¢4,500 of the cost to enable more pilgrims to perform the Hajj.
He made the pronouncement at the official launch of the 2018 Hajj season at the Hajj Village in Accra, adding that, the board would strictly allow only a direct full payment into the Hajj Account with Unibank Ghana.
Sheikh I.C Quaye reiterated that, the deadline for payment is 30 June 2018, which is in conformity with the directives given by the Saudi authorities.
“Therefore, the board shall by no means condone any form of delay in the payments thus, the delays often makes the entire process difficult”, he stressed.
The board, he said, would only deal with those who would abide by the directives with regards to the deadline. And was quick to add that, there would be no extension of the deadline for payment or what soever.
He further stressed that, only Pilgrims who would pay up in full before the deadline would be airlifted to Saudi Arabia.
Sheikh Quaye advised all would-be pilgrims as a matter of urgency, to start making payments without any delay for there shall not be extensions at all.
While pilgrims performing the Hajj more than once would pay a penalty of GHȼ3,000.00 upfront before the issuance of Visa, in order to prevent multiple performances, which is in line with the Saudi authority’s directive.
He also revealed that, Hajj fares keep increasing due to the introduction of some new policies like; the 5% VAT on goods and services, due to the diversification of the Saudi economy and its consequential implications, increase in social amenities including accommodation, transport, flight fares, catering and general service fees, which would definitely have diverse effects on transactions and other services.
However, with the reductions in taxes and interventions, he said pilgrims from Ghana are paying the lowest fare of all.
The Sheikh added that, medical teams assigned with the responsibility to manage affairs and provide proper healthcare needs of pilgrims both in Ghana and in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia would begin their activities with a health screening exercise, to ensure pilgrims are physically fit throughout their stay in Mecca.
And also with the new immigration policy by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, pilgrims would undergo finger-print data collection here in Ghana before they are airlifted.
Meanwhile, he sounded a warning that, in avoidance of any form of jail term, pilgrims should eschew travelling with prohibited items, and as well as human trafficking.
Ghana is expected to send 5,400 pilgrims to the Kingdom for this year’s Hajj.
The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and all able-bodied Muslims who have the means and of sound mind are required to perform it once in their lifetime. It is seen as a chance to wipe clean past sins and start fresh.
By Sammy Adjei, African Eye Report
