Prospective Hajj pilgrims call for the resignation of the board chairman over alleged deception
Chairman of the Hajj Board, Sheikh Ibrahim Cudjoe Quaye is facing criticism from a section of the pilgrims over the fees for this year’s hajj.
Some concerned prospective pilgrims are calling for his resignation following what they describe as deception regarding the fees.
According to them in 2020 when the Hajj was suspended following the outbreak of the coronavirus, they were assured that they would not pay any fee again when the Hajj resumes in the future.
They were told, in a joint communique signed by Board Chairman I. C. Quaye and Chairman of the Ghana Hajj Agents Association, that the “pilgrims who via their agents, wish to retain their hajj fee deposits with the hajj board (for 2020 hajj), will be exempted from paying any increment in the hajj fare for 2022”.
But, according to them, the agreement had been breached by the Board.
The Ghana Hajj Board has officially announced the package for this year’s pilgrimage. Prospective pilgrims are to pay GH¢39,000 for the journey.
Speaking to journalists in Accra, Chairman of the Ghana Hajj Board, Sheikh. I. C. Quaye said Ghana’s quota for the Islamic religious exercise has been cut down by almost 45% to make it affordable for prospective Ghanaian pilgrims.
”The Board remains resolute to deliver a successful hajj at a significantly lower price,” he reiterated.
“The Hajj Board Ghana has pulled out all the stops to make the financial expenditure much more accommodating. Again, we emphasise that with the government effort, we have arrived at a Hajj fee of GH¢39,000 for new pilgrims.
