The National Hajj Board has hinted it has been given the clearance to fly Muslim pilgrims for the 2016 Hajj direct from the Tamale Airport.

Deputy Communications Director of the Board, Alhaji Amin Lamptey, said Muslims in the three Regions of the North will no longer have to come to Accra before they could go to Saudi Arabia to observe the holy ceremony.

“We have the signal that by the grace of Allah, we will be flying direct from Tamale,” he said.

Alhaji Lamptey disclosed this to Joy News as the Muslim community bids time when they will join other Muslims to observe the holy ceremony in the Saudi Arabia capital, Riyadh.

He explained President John Dramani Mahama made the promise to them in 2014 at a time when pilgrims have had to travel to Accra and camp for days before being flown to Mecca.

“We have 11 slots this year and the first, second flight will fly from Tamale and later we will come down to Accra for the remaining slot,” he disclosed.

He indicated some 200 pilgrims who paid but couldn’t make the Hajj in 2015 will be given priority this year.

Ghana’s quota for the Hajj pilgrimage stands at 5,424.