Bawku Central Member of Parliament Mahama Ayariga has raised concerns about Ghana’s Hajj management system after two Muslim pilgrims from his constituency went missing during the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage. Ayariga, who is also the Majority Leader in Parliament, attributed the challenge to language barriers and the advanced age of some pilgrims.
“I cannot account for two of my pilgrims,” Ayariga said. “I have been calling our Consular Officer there to help us find where they are because some of them are very old people. You go to an event where there are over one million people attending, they are not educated, and they don’t speak any other language.”
Ayariga noted that the missing pilgrims may have become disoriented amidst the massive crowds in Saudi Arabia, particularly since many are first-time travelers from rural communities with limited education and unfamiliarity with foreign languages.
“It is becoming very challenging, and this is the first time many of them are venturing outside Ghana, so sometimes when they get there, they get mixed up with other countries,” he added.
The MP called for urgent collaboration with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and suggested the enactment of a dedicated Hajj law to regulate pilgrimage organization more effectively.
“So, when, after the Hajj, we cannot account for our people, the Foreign Affairs Minister is the person we should be working with,” Ayariga stated. “I have said that perhaps it is time for this House and the country to have legislation on Hajj instead of it just being a committee.”
Ayariga’s concerns were echoed by Dominic Nitiwul, former Minister for Defence and MP for Bimbilla, who urged the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to brief Parliament on the management of the 2025 pilgrimage.
In response, Minister Ahmed Ibrahim assured that Parliament would be briefed once the Hajj Committee submits its report. “In briefing Parliament, you must be on point,” he said. “A report will be submitted. Let’s exercise restraint. When a report is submitted by Collins Dauda’s committee, then we can come and brief you appropriately.”
The issue comes on the heels of a recent incident involving Fatima Kassim, a Ghanaian pilgrim who was wrongly declared dead in Saudi Arabia. She later returned home alive, sparking confusion and fear among residents. Hajj Taskforce officials attributed the mix-up to mistaken identity.
“We have mistaken identity,” said Alhaji Amadu Sorogho, a member of the Hajj Taskforce. “The most important thing is that the lady is alive and everything is over.”
Alhaji Iddi Sumaila, Director of Administration of the Hajj Taskforce, further explained: “Usually, when it happens, it is the embassy that takes control, so they issued the certificate. So we knew that one was gone and one was on admission — mistakenly, we exchanged it.”
The incidents have raised fresh calls for greater oversight, reforms, and systems to safeguard the welfare of pilgrims.