The office responsible for managing the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, the Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana (PAOG), has stopped receiving payments for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage with immediate effect.
The decision is intended to effectively manage pilgrim numbers and ensure a smooth, orderly and well-coordinated pilgrimage process for all confirmed participants.
In a statement issued in Accra yesterday (Jan 6) by the PAOG’s Director of Communications, Mohammed Amin Lamptey said: “This proactive measure seeks to prevent oversubscription, a challenge that has historically resulted in administrative backlogs and operational difficulties during Hajj operations”.
By the closure, any prospective pilgrim yet to to make payment will not be able to make payments into the designated bank accounts of Hajj 2026. Ghana’s quota for the 2026 Hajj is around 6,000.
Managing numbers
The statement explained that by closing payments at this stage, PAOG would be able to align confirmed pilgrim numbers with the approved quota for this year’s pilgrimage.
The PAOG, which has a lot of experienced hands who have managed the pilgrimage in the past, are bent on doing things the right way and meeting all new changes introduced by the Saudi Arabia authorities.
“Managing pilgrim numbers within approved limits remains critical to delivering a safe, efficient and successful Hajj,” Ghana’s Pilgrims Affairs Office said.
The statement emphasised that the decision to close payments was made in the best interest of prospective pilgrims and the nation to ensure that all prospective pilgrims who had paid were successfully airlifted to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
PAOG has, consequently, advised members of the public, especially intending pilgrims who were unable to complete payment before the closure, to prepare for subsequent Hajj arrangements.
The office also cautioned the public against individuals who claimed they could offer opportunities to participate in this year’s pilgrimage.
Fees slashed
President John Dramani Mahama last year slashed the Hajj fare for Ghanaian Muslims from GH¢75,000 to GH¢62,000 for the 2025 pilgrimage, making it more affordable and the lowest in the sub-region.
He further reduced the fare to GH¢60,000 for this year. The decision followed negotiations by the Hajj Taskforce with service providers in Mecca and Medina, aiming to ease the financial burden and promote accessibility, despite past debts left by the previous administration.
Making the pilgrimage accessible was a key promise of President Mahama to the Muslim community.
The government, through PAOG, signed key agreements between Ghana and Saudi Arabia in November last year during the 2026 Hajj and Umrah Conference in Jeddah.
The deal marked a major milestone for this year’s pilgrimage.
The signing ceremony took place during Minister Al Maawda’s participation in the 5th Edition of the Hajj and Umrah Services Conference and Exhibition, held recently in Jeddah.
The PAOG stated that the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, in collaboration with the Pilgrims Experience Programme (PEP), continued to prioritise improving the services and experiences of pilgrims through enhanced coordination, digitalisation and stakeholder engagement.
“This year’s conference adopted a modern approach, providing a comprehensive and innovative perspective on documentation, mobility and accommodation for the upcoming 2026 Hajj pilgrimage,” PAOG said in a statement.
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