Ghana Hajj Board Reports Seven Deaths Amid 2025 Pilgrimage, Citing Harsh Conditions
The Ghana Hajj Board has confirmed the deaths of seven Ghanaian pilgrims during the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The deceased include five women and two men.
Although their identities have not been publicly released, the Hajj Board has officially informed the affected families and extended its condolences on behalf of the nation.
Speaking in an interview with TV3 on Saturday, June 7, Chairman of the Hajj Board, Alhaji Collins Dauda, described the loss as deeply tragic.
“Regrettably, during this year’s pilgrimage, we lost seven of our compatriots. Death is always painful, but it is an inevitable part of life. We express our deepest sympathies to the bereaved families back home,” he said.
Alhaji Dauda also noted that the Board plans to visit the families in person to provide support and express solidarity.
In accordance with Islamic tradition, all seven pilgrims were buried in Saudi Arabia, as is customary for those who pass away during the sacred journey.
Over 6,000 Ghanaians participated in the 2025 Hajj, joining more than two million Muslims from across the globe. The pilgrimage is known for its spiritually uplifting but physically demanding rituals, often performed in extreme heat. This year, temperatures in Mecca reportedly exceeded 48°C, posing serious health risks—especially for the elderly and individuals with pre-existing conditions.
Despite the harsh climate, this year’s death toll represents a marked improvement. In 2024, 17 Ghanaian pilgrims died during Hajj, making the 2025 figure of seven a decline of nearly 59%.
Alhaji Dauda credited the reduction in fatalities to enhanced health and safety protocols implemented in collaboration with Saudi authorities. Key interventions included comprehensive pre-departure medical screenings, the deployment of dedicated Ghanaian medical teams, and upgrades to emergency response systems.
Additional preventive measures—such as hydration stations and regular health advisories—were also introduced to mitigate the risk of heat-related illnesses like heatstroke.
The Hajj Board reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the well-being of Ghanaian pilgrims and pledged to continue refining its systems in line with global best practices for managing large-scale religious gatherings in extreme environments.
