Government Working to Reduce Hajj Costs – President Mahama Assures Muslims
President John Dramani Mahama has acknowledged the high cost of the Hajj pilgrimage and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to making it more affordable for Ghanaian Muslims.
Speaking at the 2025 Eid-ul-Adha celebrations held at Black Star Square, President Mahama recognised the financial burden the pilgrimage places on many Muslim families. He assured the gathering that the government is actively working with relevant local agencies and Saudi authorities to lower the cost of the pilgrimage in the near future.
“This year, despite our efforts, the cost remains high, even though we managed to reduce it slightly,” he said. “But I want to assure you that we are working closely with the relevant agencies and our Saudi counterparts. If Allah accepts our supplications, and the cedi continues to strengthen as it has in recent weeks, I am optimistic that next year we will see a very significant drop in the Hajj fare.”
The President projected that, if the current economic trajectory continues, the Hajj fare could reduce to around GH¢45,000 by 2026.
In addition to efforts to make Hajj more accessible, President Mahama announced that the government has prepared a bill to designate Eid-ul-Adha as an official public holiday. He said the bill will soon be presented to Parliament, noting the importance of formally recognising the spiritual significance of the festival for Ghana’s Muslim community.
Credit: ghanaweb
