President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his commitment to reducing the cost of Hajj for the next Muslim pilgrimage.

Reducing Hajj fares was a key promise made by President Mahama during the 2024 election campaign. He noted that the current fare of GH¢75,000 is prohibitively expensive, preventing many ordinary Muslims from fulfilling their religious obligation to undertake the pilgrimage to Mecca.

Speaking at the National Muslim Prayer and Thanksgiving event held at the National Mosque in Kanda, Accra, on January 10, President Mahama announced the formation of a task force to oversee Hajj affairs.

“We intend to keep our promise that was made to the Muslim community. One was that we would reduce Hajj fares drastically. I have formed a 5-member Hajj task force that is led currently by our longest-serving Member of Parliament, Hon. Collins Dauda.

“And they will be leaving for the holy land on Monday, January 13, to participate in the Hajj conference. One of the tasks I have given them is to go and make arrangements so that we can bring the Hajj fares as low as possible. So that as many Muslims who intend to perform the pilgrimage can do so.”