Ghana Reduces 2025 Hajj Fare, Increases Pilgrim Quota

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KEY POINTS

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• Ghana reduces 2025 Hajj fare to GH₵62,000 ($4,130), down from GH₵75,000 ($6,500).
• The country’s Hajj quota increases by 1,000, allowing 5,000 pilgrims.
• Government aims to support the Muslim community despite inherited debt.

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The Ghanaian government has announced a reduction in the 2025 Hajj fare, setting the new cost at GH₵62,000 ($4,130).

The decision follows President John Dramani Mahama’s campaign pledge to lower pilgrimage costs for the Muslim community.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Shamima Muslim shared the update via Facebook, confirming that the fare adjustment aligns with the administration’s efforts to ease financial burdens on prospective pilgrims.

This price cut comes after years of rising Hajj costs. In 2023 and 2024, the fare stood at GH₵75,000 ($6,500).

Neighboring countries such as Côte d’Ivoire maintained a 2024 Hajj fare of $5,500, which will remain unchanged for 2025. The latest reduction is expected to make the pilgrimage more accessible for Ghanaian Muslims.

Ghana’s Hajj quota expands to accommodate more pilgrims

In addition to reducing fares, the government has also secured an increase in the country’s Hajj quota.

Ghana’s allocation has been raised to 5,000 pilgrims, an increase of 1,000 from the previous year. The adjustment is expected to enable more people to fulfill their religious obligation.

Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, requires financially and physically capable Muslims to travel to Mecca at least once in their lifetime.

According to Graphic Online, the expanded quota means that a greater number of Ghanaian Muslims will have the opportunity to embark on this sacred journey.

Despite these positive changes, the administration revealed that it inherited an outstanding Hajj-related debt exceeding $5.4 million.

Addressing this financial burden will be a priority for the government as it works to sustain affordable pilgrimage costs.

Government reaffirms commitment to Muslim community

President Mahama has consistently pledged support for Ghana’s Muslim community, not only through reduced Hajj costs but also through initiatives such as additional religious holidays and protections for the wearing of hijabs.

During a recent address at the National Mosque, Mahama reassured the public that his administration remains committed to fulfilling its promises.

“We intend to keep our promise to the Muslim community, one of which was that we’ll reduce Hajj fees drastically,” he stated.

The government’s decision to lower fares and increase quotas has been widely welcomed by the Muslim community, many of whom had raised concerns about the rising costs of the pilgrimage in previous years.