Hajj fare in Ghana increases by 23 pct, GH¢2,000 penalty for reprising journey

The Pilgrimage Affairs Office of Ghana has finally disclosed the fare for 2019 Hajj. The Pilgrimage Affairs Office of Ghana, in collaboration with Hajj Agents Association, has pegged this year’s Hajj pilgrimage fare at GH¢19,500, an equivalent of USD 3,500 dollars. The fare reportedly represents a 23 percent increment (of GH¢4,500) from 2018’s fare that was GH¢15,000.

According to the Chairman of Pilgrimage Affairs Office, Sheikh I.C. Quaye, the fare could have been much higher than announced but for the intervention of the Ghanaian government. He further said that the government is making it affordable for more people to perform the Hajj.

The Chairman also urged the would-be-pilgrims to pay their fairs to the respective Hajj agents before the deadline set on April 30, 2019 as there would be no extension later. “We would like to appeal to all those who intend to embark on this year’s pilgrimage to start paying their hajj fares to avoid last minute rush for there shall not be an extension of the April 30 deadline,” Quaye said.

According to the announcement, the pilgrims performing Hajj more than once would pay a penalty of GH¢2,000 payable before a visa acquisition, as directed by the Saudi government to prevent multiple performances of Hajj.