The office of the Chief of Staff has taken over the coordination of this year’s Hajj as the Vice President heads to the Czech Republic. Vice President John Mahama over the weekend postponed a scheduled trip to the Czech Republic to attend to the difficulties facing the Hajj Pilgrims in securing Visas for the trip. Mr. Mahama met with President Mills on Monday to brief him on the organization of the Hajj so far and to hand over to the Chief of Staff’s office to continue with the coordination.. Speaking to Joy News before the trip Monday night, the Vice President’s spokesperson, John Jinapor said Mr. Mahama’s meeting with the president was to provide the president with an overview of what has been happening with the Hajj pilgrimage till date. “He’s briefed the president on progress made so far and the major bottlenecks which has to do with the issuance of visas to the pilgrims by the Saudi Embassy and so the Presidency will handle affairs in his absence,” he said. John Jinapor explained that the office of the Chief of Staff and the Presidency will liaise with the Hajj Board to resolve the impasse in order to get the last group of pilgrims to Mecca. Meanwhile the Vice President will be participating in the Ghana-Czech Business Forum on the trip. Story by Derick Romeo Adogla/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana