The Ghana Hajj Board and the Ghana Hajj Agents Association have unraveled what they describe as the “abuse” of Saudi tourists and Ummrah visas by some persons.
According to a press release dated Friday, April 14, 2023, some individuals with the connivance of a few Hajj agents are allegedly perpetrating the visa illegalities which Saudi laws have considered unlawful in embarkment on Hajj.
“However, some people with the connivance of a few Hajj agents are allegedly perpetrating this illegality. The illegality is threatening the integrity of the management of the annual pilgrimage,” the press release indicated.
The Board also noted these suspected persons after obtaining the tourist and Ummrah visas, illegally extended their stay in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and infiltrate the camp of Ghanaian pilgrims.
“Such violators are the source of the bulk of the challenges encountered by the Ghana Hajj Board every year. They infiltrate the Ghanaian camp and illegally access facilities such as accommodation and transport and partake in the meals meant for our pilgrims, a conduct which creates logistical challenges for the Board.”
The Board insists that holders of such visas could face a five-year prison term or an outright and indefinite ban from Saudi after serving their sentence as their action is against the laws of the land.
“Fresh and drastic measures, details of which include collaboration with Saudi Security Agents to arrest such persons among others, have been considered and firmed up by the Ghana Hajj Board.
Agents implicated in such unlawful action will face sanctions including a long period of suspension from operating as Hajj agents,” the statement said further.
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The hajj board itself should be transparent in it's dealings with the Moslem community in Ghana. The hajj board has pegged the 2023 hajj fare at 6, 500.00 US dollars or GHC 75,000.00 . They were asked to come out with details as to how they arrived at this figure i.e. The plane fare in and out, transportation in Mecca, hotel accommodation rates, medical etc. Up to date the board has failed to do this simple thing. In 2019 the hajj fare was GHC 19,500.00 . No hajj in 2020/2021 due to Covid 19. In 2022 the fare rose to GHC 39,000.00 . 2023 and additional GHC 36,000.00 has been added bringing this years fare to GHC 75,000.00 . Most prospective pilgrims were expecting to see the last years figure maintained only for prospective pilgrims to be taken aback. How many teachers, nurses or a civil servant in today's Ghana can mobilize this money to send his or her parent to perform hajj. Fathers and mothers have toiled and made sacrifices for their children and at their age the only thank you one can offer them is to send them to perform this all important religious obligation. To perform hajj 2023 one needs GHC 100,000.00 plus ( 1 billion old cedis) hmmmmm.
No where cool! The Ghanaian will always be a Ghanaian wherever!