President Mahama Pledges Hajj Fare Reduction and Proposes Eid-ul-Fitr as Statutory Public Holiday
In a significant move to support Ghana's Muslim community, President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to reduce Hajj pilgrimage costs and to formalize Eid-ul-Fitr as a statutory public holiday. These initiatives aim to alleviate financial pressures on pilgrims and acknowledge the cultural importance of Islamic festivals in Ghana. Commitment to Reducing Hajj Fares Addressing congregants during the Eid-ul-Adha celebrations at Black Star Square on June 6, 2025, President Mahama acknowledged the financial challenges faced by many intending pilgrims. He assured that the government is collaborating with relevant agencies and Saudi counterparts to make the pilgrimage more affordable. "If the cedi continues its recent strength, we are optimistic that next year we'll see a very significant drop in the Hajj fare," President Mahama stated. He noted that, under current exchange rates, the fare could have been as low as GHS […]