Hajj Taskforce Settles $2.7m of $4.5m Debt, Warns Against Tourist Visas

Accra, Ghana - 08bMay, 2025 - The National Hajj Taskforce has made significant progress in resolving a $4.5 million debt inherited from the previous Hajj Board, with approximately 60% of the amount already settled.

The debt, which includes costs related to accommodation, catering services, and airline transportation, was accumulated by the previous administration.

According to Alhaji Bashir Alhassan Fuseini, Head of Corporate Affairs of the Hajj Task Force, the task force has worked diligently to reduce the debt, with the majority of the remaining amount owed to Flynas, an airline in Saudi Arabia.

Fuseini stated that the debt has been "considerably degraded" and expressed confidence in the task force's efforts to settle the outstanding amount.

“The Hajj Taskforce has worked extremely hard, and as we speak, the debt has been considerably degraded. They left about $4.5 million. As we speak, principally the biggest amount of it lies with the airlines. There is an airline called Flynas in Saudi Arabia, which is where the preponderance of the debt is.

“I can tell you that we have considerably reduced that debt.''

The task force has cautioned prospective pilgrims against using tourist visas for Hajj, warning that those caught will be arrested, with some already in detention by Saudi authorities.

Fuseini emphasized that tourist visas do not permit pilgrims to perform Hajj and urged prospective pilgrims to adhere to the proper procedures.

“As we speak, there are many pilgrims who have been arrested by the Saudi authorities, and they are languishing in jails. They can’t even come out to enjoy the basic freedom of even going to worship in the grand mosque. They go for a tourist visa, a tourist visa does not entitle you to do Hajj,” he said.

The task force has also expressed satisfaction with the high participation rate for this year's Hajj, attributing it to the government's decision to reduce the pilgrimage fee.

Source: Lead News Online