Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, has raised alarm over the disappearance of two pilgrims from his constituency who traveled to Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage.
Addressing the Parliament of Ghana, Mr. Ayariga — who also serves as Majority Leader — expressed grave concern about the lack of accountability and structural weaknesses in Ghana’s Hajj operations. He attributed the challenge to language barriers, the advanced age of many pilgrims, and limited support systems for first-time travelers.
“I cannot account for two of my pilgrims. I have been calling our Consular Officer there to help us find where they are. Some of them are very old people… not educated and don’t speak any other language,” he told the House.
The MP explained that the missing pilgrims may have become disoriented amid the massive crowds in Saudi Arabia, with over a million participants attending the annual religious rite. Many Ghanaian pilgrims, he noted, are first-time travelers from rural areas and lack basic education, making it difficult to navigate the environment.
“This is the first time many of them are venturing outside Ghana… sometimes they get mixed up with other countries,” Ayariga added.
Ayariga called for immediate intervention by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and proposed that Ghana pass a specific law on Hajj to regulate the pilgrimage process more effectively, instead of relying solely on the existing Hajj Committee.
“Perhaps it is time for this House and the country to have legislation on Hajj instead of it just being a committee,” he stated.
His concerns were backed by Bimbilla MP and former Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul, who urged Parliament to demand a comprehensive briefing on the 2025 pilgrimage from the Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs.
In response, Local Government Minister Ahmed Ibrahim assured Parliament that a full briefing would follow the submission of the official report by the Hajj Committee led by Collins Dauda.
“Let’s exercise restraint. When a report is submitted… then we can come and brief you appropriately,” the minister stated.
Mistaken Death Declared During Hajj
The latest concerns follow a bizarre case of mistaken identity involving Fatima Kassim, a Ghanaian pilgrim from Madina, who was wrongly declared dead in Saudi Arabia. Her family held a funeral, only for her to return home alive, causing widespread confusion and panic.
According to Hajj Taskforce officials, the error occurred due to the misidentification of two undocumented patients in a Saudi hospital — one of whom was traveling on a tourist visa.
“The most important thing is that the lady is alive and everything is over,” said Alhaji Amadu Sorogho, a member of the Hajj Taskforce.
“We mistakenly exchanged [the identities]. The embassy issued the certificate based on that,” added Alhaji Iddi Sumaila, Director of Administration of the Hajj Taskforce.
The incidents have renewed public scrutiny of Ghana’s Hajj management system, with many calling for digital tracking, better embassy coordination, and standardized identification processes to prevent future confusion, disappearances, and administrative failures.
As Ghana awaits the official report from the Hajj Committee, the pressure is mounting on government officials to implement reforms and ensure the safety and dignity of Ghanaian pilgrims abroad.
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