The National Hajj Board has hinted that after Friday, July 15, 2016, it will not register Muslims who want to be part of this year’s pilgrimage to Mecca.

Deputy Communications Director for the Hajj Board, Alhaji Amin Lamptey, said the decision has come about because the board does not want a repeat of challenges it faced in the previous years where some people who registered later were left stranded.

He has advised those who want to be part to ensure they follow the necessary steps to register.

Explaining the process, he said prospective candidates are expected to have a biometric passport. They will make a payment of $3,450 or its equivalent of GHc11, 900.

After the payment, they will be required to gather certain information regarding their passport.

They will be given an authentic card and after receiving the card they need to have twelve copies of passport size photos and GHc200.

He said: "GH150 is for your bag that you use for your luggage and GHc50 is for the handling charges then you move to the Hajj Village for the process to begin."

He cautioned those who are going through the registration process through an agent to ensure that due process is followed.

At least a total of 5,424 (five thousand four hundred and twenty-four) persons are expected to leave Ghana for the 2016 Hajj pilgrimage.

This year's pilgrimage has seen some few changes key among them is that for the first time pilgrims in the three Regions of the north will travel direct from Tamale airport to Mecca while those in the south will depart from the Kotoka International airport.