Ghanaian Pilgrims Arrive Today

All is set for the first batch of Ghanaian pilgrims, who participated in the hajj this year, to return home from Mecca on Tuesday. The Hajj Board in an interview with Ghananewstoday confirmed that by 5pm on Tuesday, 178 pilgrims, who were the first group to leave Ghana via Egypt Air, will be flown back home.



A total of 1,726 pilgrims left the country last December amidst difficult lodging circumstances.

Those who managed to make the trip could count themselves lucky, as others numbering about 500, could not be airlifted due to the Saudi government';s restrictions on flights entering that country towards the start of the pilgrimage.

Speaking to Ghananewstoday, Alhaji Mumuni Suleiman, spokesperson of the Hajj Board, said the last group of Ghanaian pilgrims will return on January 25.

In the past, Ghanaian pilgrims returning from Mecca have had problems with air lines, due to apparent overload of cargo, but Alhaji Mumuni Suleiman told Ghananewstoday that the necessary checks have been put in place to make sure that no such thing happens this year.

'Arrangements are made to take care of excess baggage. Most of the airlines make the necessary arrangements. If one has more than 50 kilos, the person has to pay for excess baggage and the airline will take the responsibility of coming with it', Alhaji Mumuni Suleiman explained.