GPO Wishes Ghanaians A Blissful Eidul-Adha

The Chairman of the Ghana Pilgrims Office Alhaji Ibrahim Rauf Tanko, has wished all Muslims in particular and all Ghanaians in general a blissful Eidul-Adha. He prayed the blessings of that august day occasion prosperity and unity among Ghanaians. He further counseled that, this important religious event should remind all Ghanaians to renew and deepen our age-long culture of giving to the needy and general hospitality. As regards this year�s Hajj, Alhaji Tanko expressed relative satisfaction so far at the conduct of this year�s Hajj. He observed that, by the grace of Almighty Allah, he was together with his team, able to improve systems at the Hajj secretariat that helped this year�s pilgrimage. He further noted that, the patience and cooperation of pilgrims and the entirety of the Muslim community, deserve a special mention relative to this year�s success. He was also quick to acknowledge the immense support afforded him and his outfit, by His Excellency John Dramani Mahama and the Chief of staff. He expressed gratitude to the President for his continuous support to the activities of the Ghana Pilgrims Affairs Office. Chairman as he is affectionately called, intimated also that, this year�s processes were not without some challenges. A greater percentage of these hurdles were exogenous he lamented. Nonetheless, �with divine support and guidance we were able to surmount them� he said. He also appealed to the few who could not make it because of the external difficulties encountered, to exercise a great deal of patience and to be assured the secretariat shall give them priority in the coming year. He also did not fail to unconditionally express the Hajj secretariat�s apology to the affected persons. Alhaji Tanko assured Ghanaians that he will do everything he practically can to avert any such unfortunate occurrence in the future. He however admonished prospective pilgrims to avoid the culture of making late payments as this played a major part in the challenges encountered this year. Speaking to us from Mecca, the Chairman of the Pilgrims Office said they (Ghanaian pilgrims) are praying for mother Ghana to continue being a model peaceful and democratic country. They also pray for economic prosperity for all.