By Muyid Deen Suleman, GNA
Kumasi, Nov. 13, GNA – The Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana (PAOG) and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have signed and endorsed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the 2027 Hajj pilgrimage.
The agreement was signed on behalf of Ghana in Jeddah by Alhaji Abdul-Rauf Tanko Ibrahim, Chairman of the Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana and Hajj Board, during the sixth edition of the Hajj Conference.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by members of the Hajj Board and executives of the Ghana Hajj Agents Association (GHAA).
This was contained in a statement signed by Mr Mohammed Amin Lamptey Hussein, Director of Communications at the PAOG.
According to the statement, the sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition focused on key operational areas aimed at enhancing structured, regulated and quality services for prospective international pilgrims.
The areas covered included transportation, accommodation, catering, healthcare, services at the Holy Sites, customer service, crowd management, communication, media relations, hospitality centres and group leadership.
The statement said participants, including delegates from Ghana, received training in Hajj pilgrimage planning, monitoring and supervision, decision-making, crisis and emergency management, as well as crisis communication.
It said the Government of Ghana had reaffirmed its commitment to complying with all rules and regulations governing Hajj operations.
The statement also reiterated Ghana’s request for an increase in its Hajj quota to accommodate the growing number of prospective pilgrims.
It expressed optimism that with consistency, teamwork, effective communication, and a high sense of patriotism among stakeholders, Hajj 2027 would be successfully organised.
The statement urged all stakeholders to concentrate on ongoing medical screening, documentation, visa processing, travel arrangements and preparations for the Hajj rites in Saudi Arabia.
It said the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah reported a pilgrim satisfaction rate of more than 90 per cent during Hajj 2026 and was committed to further improving service delivery, crowd management and healthcare services.
According to the statement, the signing of the MoU prompted the Saudi authorities to commend Ghana as one of the well-structured and well-organised participating countries during Hajj 2026.
The statement said Alhaji Abdul-Rauf Tanko Ibrahim, on behalf of Ghana, expressed appreciation to the Saudi authorities for their hospitality and the successful organisation of the conference ahead of Hajj 2027.
GNA
Edited by Kwabia Owusu-Mensah/Lydia Kukua Asamoah