The first batch of 5,428 Ghanaians who embarked on the spiritual journey of pilgrimage to Mecca, this year, returned home Monday evening.

The 256 pilgrims, led by the National Chief Imam Sheikh Osuman Nuhu Sharubutu, touched down at 6pm in a Malaysian aircraft, Boeing 747.

The obviously excited pilgrims were happy and relieved to back home. Excited family members mobbed their relatives who returned from the once in a life-time journey for many.

The remaining batches will arrive daily till they all return home by the end of this month.

Addressing journalists at airport, the Chief Imam thanked Allah for guiding the pilgrims throughout the period.

He said fervent prayers were said to avert the spread of the deadly Ebola virus, which has killed more than four 4,000 across West Africa, to Ghana.

Sheikh Nuhu Sharubutu also prayed for the souls of the three Ghanaian pilgrims who died in Mecca as well as for the lives of three babies who were born in the Holy city of Mecca.

The aged pilgrims proved a major headache for organizers of the Hajj but the Hajj Secretariat has promised to intensify its effort to discourage very old people from embarking on the rather tedious journey.