Hajj Taskforce opens up on leaving pilgrims behind

The Hajj Taskforce has strongly refuted claims that it abandoned pilgrims during the recently concluded 2025 Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. This comes after concerns raised in Parliament about two individuals from Bawku Central who are reportedly missing.

Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga told Parliament that he could not account for two pilgrims from his constituency after the pilgrimage. “I have been calling our Consular Officer there to help us find where they are,” he said, attributing the situation to language barriers, inexperience, and the overwhelming nature of the Hajj, which attracts millions of participants annually.

He further suggested that improved legislation is needed to regulate the organisation of the Hajj pilgrimage more effectively.

Responding to the issue on Citi Eyewitness News on Thursday, July 17, Head of Corporate Affairs at the Hajj Taskforce, Alhaji A.B.A. Fuseini, described the reports as unfortunate and misleading. He insisted that the Taskforce did not leave any official pilgrim behind.

“The Hajj Taskforce never left one single person behind,” Alhaji Fuseini said emphatically. He added that although Mahama Ayariga is a respected and experienced legislator, the information he received in this case was inaccurate.

According to Alhaji Fuseini, investigations showed that the two missing individuals did not travel under the official Hajj arrangement but rather on tourist visas.

“Incontrovertible facts of this matter are that the people went with a tourist visa. They did not go with a Hajj visa, and for that matter, I am sure that the tourist visa brought them whatever trouble it was,” he clarified.