The Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana (PAOG) has officially closed all operational activities related to the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage, marking the completion of key administrative processes, including payments, documentation and passport submissions.
In a statement issued to the public, the office said the decision to conclude this year’s arrangements was necessary to ease mounting administrative pressure and enable officials to focus on the next phase of preparations for the pilgrimage to the Saudi Arabia.
According to the office, only prospective pilgrims who fully complied with the documentation requirements and submitted their passports within the stipulated deadline were considered for visa processing.
“Visa processing could not commence without full compliance with the documentation requirements,” the statement emphasised, underscoring the importance of the timely submission of all necessary documents.
The office also disclosed that medical screening exercises for pilgrims had been successfully completed in several regions. The remaining screenings are scheduled for February 22 in the Ashanti Region and February 28 at the Hajj Village in Accra for pilgrims in the Greater Accra Region.
Officials noted that early payment, medical screening and the prompt submission of passports were critical measures that contributed to a smoother process this year, adding that lessons learned would be used to improve future Hajj arrangements.
Prospective pilgrims under special protocol arrangements have been advised to submit their passports immediately and participate in the required medical screening in either Kumasi or Accra to complete their process.
The Pilgrims Affairs Office further urged pilgrims and stakeholders to await official communication regarding the next stages of the pilgrimage as preparations continue toward the departure phase.
The annual Hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, attracts thousands of Ghanaian Muslims each year, with the Pilgrims Affairs Office overseeing coordination, documentation and travel arrangements.
