Hajj Village at El-Wak changed conditions for Ghanaian pilgrims – PAOG Director
Nat’l Tymes News Desk
THE days when Ghanaian Hajj pilgrims had to sleep in the open at El-Wak Stadium and the Accra Airport were brought to an end following measures introduced during the administration of President John Evans Atta Mills, according to the Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana (PAOG).
Mohammed Amin Lamptey Hussein, Director of Communication at PAOG, made this known in a historical review of Hajj administration in Ghana.
He said successive governments made efforts to support the annual pilgrimage, despite challenges with transportation, accommodation and logistics.
According to him, during the Rawlings administration, government facilitated Hajj operations and also gave national recognition to the two major Islamic festivals, Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha.
He said the administration of President John Agyekum Kufuor also took steps to address challenges facing pilgrims, including the release of US$600,000 to assist stranded pilgrims and the establishment of a Hajj Fact-Finding Committee.
Mr. Lamptey said in 2007, when about 2,700 Ghanaian pilgrims were at risk of missing the Hajj, President Kufuor intervened diplomatically to help secure flights for them.
He, however, identified the establishment of the Hajj Village under President Mills as a major development in the organisation of the pilgrimage.
According to him, many pilgrims had previously been exposed to theft, rain and health risks while sleeping in the open during the Hajj departure process.
“The Mills administration, together with then Vice President John Dramani Mahama, partnered with Ghana Airports Company to institutionalise the first Hajj Village at El-Wak,” he stated.
The facility was later moved to Kanda and eventually to the Airport.
Mr. Lamptey said the Hajj Village provided facilities including a clinic, mosque, running water, washrooms, warehouses and a car park, helping to improve conditions for pilgrims and give them greater dignity before departure.
He said President Mills also opposed the commercialisation of Hajj and insisted on early planning to reduce the difficulties that had characterised previous operations.
According to him, the development marked a shift from responding to Hajj problems after they occurred to planning ahead to prevent them.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
