Vice-President John Mahama has appealed to people seeking to go on this year's Hajj to process their document early to ensure a successful pilgrimage. "Even though last year's Hajj was largely successful, it suffered a slight hitch due to late payments by some would be pilgrims," he noted and advised that efforts be made to avoid such problems this year. The Vice President made the appeal on Saturday; when he presented food items to the Muslim community in Accra for the Ramadan. The Office of the National Chief Imam received two bags of rice, 50 bags of sugar and 10 cartons of milk, while 50 bags of rice, 25 bags of sugar and 10 cartons of milk each went to the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations Ghana, Coalition of Muslim Organisations, Ghana, and the Council of Muslim Chiefs. The same quantity, of food items was presented to the Ahlussunna Wal Jama'a, and the RasouI AI-Akram Mosque. Vice-President Mahama gave the assurance that the government would ensure that this year's pilgrimage to Mecca, was organised even better, and said the government would soon announce it assistance to needy muslims to embark on the pilgrimage. The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharabutu, responded to the government's gesture with prayers for God's guidance to the government to enable it to successfully execute its development agenda for the nation. On behalf of the Muslim community, Chief Baba Issah expressed appreciation to the government for the gesture, saying that on occasions like the Ramadan, assistance was welcome. He prayed for national unity and prosperity, as well as God's protection for the Presidency. Source: Ghanaian Times