By Iddi Yire
Accra, Feb 28, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama, at the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, has lauded Muslim Members of Parliament (MPs) and Ministers of State for their generosity towards the less-privileged.
The President gave the commendations in Accra, when he, on the behalf of the Muslim MPs and Ministers presented assorted items to Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, the National Chief Imam.
The assorted items, which were made of 7,650 bags of sugar and 2,650 bags of rice were for distribution to the less privileged during the month of Ramadan.
The presentation took place on the sidelines, as the President cut sod for the construction of an ultramodern state-of-the-art Hajj Village in Accra.
The President thanked Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, the Minister for the Interior and colleague Muslim Ministers and MPs for their kind gesture.
The construction of the new Hajj Village, which will serve as a modern well-equipped and dignified facility for departing pilgrims, will take 24 months to complete.
The edifice includes a fully air-conditioned pilgrims hall to ensure comfort before departure, which is like a terminal building.
The pilgrims will check at the terminal building, after which they will be taken by a bus straight to the aircraft to board and depart.
The facility will also have a modern abolition and prayer area, a mosque to facilitate spiritual preparation before the pilgrims leave.
There will be well-organised comfortable accommodation to allow the pilgrims to rest peacefully before their flights are ready.
It will also have a dedicated health facility, a modern clinic to provide medical care and screening before they depart, a market and catering facilities.
In addition, there will be an immigration desk and check-in services to streamline travel procedures before they embark on their pilgrimage.
GNA