National Tymes News Desk
THE Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana (PAOG), under the leadership of Hon. Alhaji Abdul-Rauf Tanko Ibrahim, is preparing to participate in the 6th Hajj Conference and Exhibition in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as part of efforts to strengthen Ghana’s preparations for the 2027 Hajj pilgrimage.
The four-day international conference, scheduled for November 8 to 11, 2026, will bring together more than 520 local and international organisations from over 150 countries, including Hajj missions, government institutions, service providers and other key stakeholders in the pilgrimage industry.
In a press release issued on November 3, 2026, PAOG said its participation would help Ghana stay abreast of the latest requirements, operational arrangements and important guidelines for the 1448 AH/2027 Hajj season.
The annual conference is organised by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in collaboration with the Pilgrim Experience Programme (PEP), an initiative under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
It will be held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
According to the statement, the conference will provide an important platform for discussions on early service contracts, operational and regulatory arrangements, infrastructure development, new initiatives, partnerships and preparations for the upcoming Hajj season.
The discussions will be centred on three main areas: infrastructure and operational services, empowerment and integration, and sustainable development.
The event will also feature more than 15 specialised zones and programmes, including workshops, an Entrepreneurship and Innovation Zone, a hackathon and a Business Centre.
For the first time, an Awareness and Training Forum will be introduced to strengthen the knowledge and capacity of Hajj officials and other stakeholders.
There will also be dedicated platforms for technology, healthcare, media and aviation, among other sectors, to explore new ways of improving services and the overall experience of pilgrims.
A special meeting for heads of Hajj Affairs Offices will provide an opportunity for national pilgrimage administrations to discuss service delivery, share experiences and strengthen international partnerships.
The accompanying exhibition, covering more than 67,000 square metres, will showcase services and innovations from providers across more than 150 countries.
PAOG noted that the conference forms part of Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to improve the Hajj services system and achieve the objectives of Vision 2030.
Meanwhile, Hon. Alhaji Abdul-Rauf Tanko Ibrahim has extended his appreciation to all stakeholders involved in Ghana’s Hajj operations for their cooperation and effective partnership.
He has also congratulated the PAOG medical teams and other health professionals for their excellent work during the ongoing mandatory medical screening exercise for prospective 2027 Hajj pilgrims.
The PAOG leadership expressed confidence that the international conference would provide valuable knowledge, partnerships and operational guidance to help Ghana improve its preparations and deliver better services to pilgrims in 2027.
Source: Nationaltymes.com / (PAOG Communications Directorate)
