In a shocking turn of events, President John Dramani Mahama announced that his government had secured a pre-financing arrangement with a local bank to cover major Hajj expenses.
This move comes as a surprise, especially considering John Mahama’s previous statements about the state of the economy.
During the State of the Nation Address in Parliament, President John Mahama painted a bleak picture of the economy, which he claimed was left in shambles by the previous NPP government.
He described the economy as “criminal” and stated that his government had inherited a “broken” economy.
However, it appears that Mahama’s government has found a way to refinance the Hajj expenses, which are expected to cost millions of dollars.
According to President John Mahama, the pre-financing arrangement will allow for a smoother payment process for Ghanaian pilgrims traveling to Mecca.
President John Mahama revealed that all deposits for accommodation, transport, and other essential services have already been settled, ensuring that no pilgrim will be required to pay beyond GH¢5,000 at this stage.
He also announced that the government has set March 13 as the final payment deadline to prevent last-minute payments that often disrupt travel plans.
“This year, we do not want a situation where people make late payments and expect to be airlifted. We have set up a task force to manage Hajj operations effectively,” John Mahama said.
Furthermore, John Mahama revealed that the government had cleared outstanding debts from previous Hajj operations, preventing financial setbacks that have disrupted past pilgrimages.
He assured Ghanaian Muslims that his administration is working to make the pilgrimage experience more dignified and well-organized, with measures in place to ease the financial burden on pilgrims.
The pre-financing arrangement has raised eyebrows, with some questioning how the government managed to secure funding for the Hajj expenses despite the country’s economic challenges.
-BY Daniel Bampoe
