The Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has defended state sponsorship of the Hajj pilgrimage, describing it as a legitimate social intervention that promotes peace and national stability.

Speaking in an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Face to Face on Channel One TV on Tuesday, February 17, Dafeamekpor said government support for the pilgrimage was not a new policy introduced by the current administration.

“The decision by the state to fund this is such a major social intervention policy that I would defend anywhere. This government didn’t introduce Hajj arrangements. It inherited them,” he stated, adding that the pilgrimage has evolved beyond a purely religious exercise into a socio-religious and political matter with implications for Ghana’s bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia.

According to him, the Hajj is now governed by bilateral agreements between Ghana and the Saudi authorities, covering arrangements for pilgrims’ preparation, travel, stay and return.

“Hajj, believe you me, is not merely a religious affair. It has a direct connection with our relationship with Saudi Arabia — how we manage them before they enter, how they are managed there, and how they go through the rituals and return home,” he explained.

Dafeamekpor argued that supporting the pilgrimage helps maintain religious harmony and social stability.

He noted that if economically disadvantaged Muslims who wish to undertake the pilgrimage feel neglected, it could create agitation and potential instability.

“The concept of peace and religious harmony is central to ensuring stability. If a group of people want to go on this pilgrimage to Mecca and is unable to pay and begins to agitate, some instability can occur,” he said.

He further maintained that faith plays an important role in matters of state, pointing out that prayers are often part of official state functions.

“It’s important to recognise the role faith plays in state affairs and harmonise it to the benefit of stability. Where we have stability in matters of state and religion, the state blossoms and flourishes,” he added.

Dafeamekpor concluded that successive governments have continued the policy because of its social, religious and cultural value, describing it as a major social intervention he would defend anywhere.