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Ghana Hajj Board promises to refund fees of pilgrims
The Ghana Hajj Board (GHB) says it is working feverishly to refund the Hajj fees of pilgrims and Hajj agents who paid to take part in this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.
This follows the cancellation of the programme to international participants by the Saudi Government.
A statement issued the by GHB and jointly signed by the Chairman of the Hajj Board, Sheikh and Alhaji Issah Umar Suleiman, Ghana Hajj Agents Association, copied to the Ghanaian Times in Accra yesterday, said the Minister of Hajj and Umrah and the Government of Saudi Arabia last June, issued a statement cancelling this year’s Hajj to international participants.
It said the cancellation of this year’s Hajj pilgrimage to international participants by the Saudi Government was due to the coronavirus pandemic and the risk that it continued to present to the well-being of society.
Subsequently, the statement said GHB “has received requests from pilgrims and Hajj agents for refunds of their Hajj fees.”
The GHB and the Ghana Hajj Agents Association said the monies paid by pilgrims were intended to pay for Hajj services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia including accommodation, feeding, transportation, procurement of Hajj bags.
According to the statement, deposits for the Hajj services were made as far back as February, 2020 in preparation for this year’s exercise.
“We have received indication from the Saudi Authorities that, refunds would be processed by September, 2020, which is after the local Hajj has concluded,” the statement said.
It requested all persons who had directly or via their Hajj agents, paid monies to the Hajj Board through the bank, to co-operate with management, as they work to successfully address their concerns.
The GHB urged the general public to disregard any previous statement or television interviews or social media post that had been made with respect to the cancellation of this year’s Hajj.
The statement said: “Ghanaian pilgrims will not be able to travel to Makkah, to perform Hajj this year,” due to the cancellation of the programme to international participants by the Saudi Government to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
About 6,000 pilgrims were expected to travel to Mecca to participate in this year’s Hajj
Last year, more than 6,000 pilgrims were successfully flown from Ghana to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj rituals.
The fee for last year’s Hajj was pegged at GH¢19, 000 and same was priced this year.
Hajj is an annual pilgrimage to the Holy city of Mecca where Muslims perform various rituals as part of an Islamic obligation.
It is the fifth pillar of Islam, which enjoins every Muslim who can afford, and is physically fit, to embark on the pilgrimage, at least once in their lifetime.
Each year, millions of Muslims from all parts of the world converge on Saudi Arabia to praise Allah, express appreciation to Him for His mercies and also seek blessings and forgiveness for their trespasses as part of the rituals.
Source: Ghanaian Times
The MP for Old Tafo, Vincent Assafuah, has criticised what he describes as an attempt by the President to influence the work of Parliament in the ongoing debate over the future of the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
On his facebook post in response to recent developments, Assafuah argued that those who previously claimed he did not understand the separation of powers must now reconsider their position.
He noted that the current situation shows the President trying to direct Parliamentarians on how to carry out their duties, a move he believes challenges the very principles those critics defended.
Assafuah urged the President to restrain the Deputy Attorney General, Justice Sai, following the widespread public backlash over moves linked to the possible scrapping of the OSP.
He stressed that the case currently before the court should be withdrawn, describing it as unnecessary.
He referenced Section 4 of the OSP Act, explaining that all prosecutions by the Office of the Special Prosecutor must be authorised by the Attorney General, whose powers he described as sacrosanct.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Diaspora Affairs Office at the Presidency has addressed a social media report claiming that some visiting African American tourists were approached by people pretending to be police officers.
In a statement, the office noted that such information can cause fear among visitors, especially those travelling from the diaspora during the festive season.
It assured the public that Ghana treats all reports concerning the safety of travellers with urgency.
According to the statement, the Ghana Police Service and the Cyber Security Authority have begun a full investigation to verify the story and identify anyone involved.
The office emphasised that thousands of visitors arrive in the country at this time of year, and every traveller deserves to feel safe and respected.
The Diaspora Affairs Office reaffirmed Ghana’s reputation as a peaceful and welcoming destination.
It added that all security and intelligence agencies are working together to ensure the country remains a trusted and enjoyable place for visitors exploring its culture, heritage and beauty.
The update was issued by Kofi Okyere Darko, Director of Diaspora Affairs.
By: Jacob Aggrey
