The former Hajj Board, through its spokesperson Alhaji Rahman Gomda, has welcomed the new board’s decision to investigate the $5 million outstanding debt from previous pilgrimage trips.

However, they have insisted that the investigation should also extend to the significant debts inherited from the NDC-led administration in 2016.

At a press conference on Wednesday, February 6, Alhaji Collins Dauda, Chairman of the five-member interim Hajj Taskforce, revealed that the $5 million debt, left by the previous administration, is owed to various firms that provided services for the pilgrimage.

He explained that fluctuations in the value of the cedi against the dollar had worsened the financial situation, contributing to rising costs.

“This is a wonderful move" Alhaji Gomda stated. “However, if the investigation is to be thorough, it must also consider the fluctuations in the value of our cedi against the dollar, as these factors have significantly increased the costs.”

While the former board supports the investigation into the current debt, they have disputed the figures presented by Alhaji Collins Dauda.

They argue that any investigation should not only focus on the current $5 million debt but should also look back to 2016, when they inherited a $7 million debt from the NDC-led board.

Alhaji Gomda emphasised that for a full understanding of the Hajj Board’s financial situation, both the current and historical liabilities must be considered.

He stressed that for the investigation to be fair and comprehensive, it must include the financial challenges faced by the board in 2016.

Despite the debt situation, the new government has reduced the fare for the annual Hajj pilgrimage from GH₵75,000 to GH₵62,000 for Ghanaian Muslims seeking to embark on the trip.

This was a major promise by President John Mahama before he won the 2024 elections. This decision is expected to increase Ghana's quota for the number of Muslims who will embark on the pilgrimage.

Read Also: Gov’t reduces Hajj fare from GH₵75,000 to GH₵62,000