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The National Hajj Secretariat has introduced a universal bagging system (UBS) that will allow pilgrims to meet the required weight of luggage to be carried on the flight to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The UBS comprises three bags and a waist bag at a discount rate of GH¢100 which will be paid to the Hajj Secretariat after a pilgrim has completed his or her payment process.

According to the Chairman of the Hajj Board, Alhaji Rauf Tanko, each pilgrim would be entitled to two pieces of luggage only, each weighing a maximum of 23 kilos, and a hand luggage weighing not more than 10 kilos.

He explained that the system would allow for the effective calculation of the weight of each piece of luggage.

Alhaji Tanko made this known during a press conference in Accra last Tuesday to outline preparations for this year’s pilgrimage 

He said  the new system would also help avert the situation where some pilgrims were forced to leave out certain items at the airport because they weighed more than the required kilos.

“If everyone goes by the weighing code, pilgrims will be able to arrive safely with their luggage, instead of waiting for some days before the arrival of their items,” he stated.

Fare
On the fare for this year’s Hajj, Alhaji Tanko said it remained $3,450. However, those paying in cedis were expected to pay GH¢11,900 at a special rate.

All payments are to be made at UniBank or through any of the accredited Hajj agents across the country.

Number of pilgrims
On the number of Ghanaian pilgrims expected to perform this year’s hajj, he said Ghana had a quota of 5,424 seats. 

There would be 450 pilgrims per flight, while the number of Hajj officials, made up of medics, logistics and administrative staff, would be 65.

Alhaji Tanko said NAS Airlines, an airline operator in Saudi Arabia, had been contracted again by the secretariat to fly pilgrims to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“The first flight will leave Accra on September 5, 2015 and the last flight will depart on September 16, 2015”, he indicated.

Food and accommodation 
On accommodation, he said the secretariat had secured 5,800 comfortable and convenient sleeping places for the pilgrims for a period of one month in Mecca and three days each in Madina and Mina.

However, he said , the secretariat would  be responsible for the feeding of pilgrims in Mina and Arafat for three days only,  while in Mecca and Madina pilgrims would have to take care of their own feeding.

For transportation within the Kingdom, he said the secretariat had concluded all arrangements for the orderly movement of pilgrims, including an airport pick-up.

“As in previous years, we will make adequate security, medical and logistics available to ensure the safety, security and comfort of pilgrims in the Kingdom,” he said.

Alhaji Tanko also said the secretariat would make available to each pilgrim on arrival in Accra a gallon of Zamzam water and, therefore, they should not purchase the water in Saudi Arabia because the airline would reject them at the boarding gate.

He advised prospective pilgrims to conclude their payments and other preparations on time with approved agents to avoid delays.