Two Ghanaian pilgrims from the Bawku Central constituency remain unaccounted for following this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, the Majority Leader of Parliament and Member of Parliament (MP) for Bawku Central, Mr. Mahama Ayariga, has revealed.
Speaking on the Floor of Parliament on Thursday, July 17, 2025, Mr. Ayariga expressed deep concern over the disappearance of the two individuals, both of whom were part of his constituency’s contingent that travelled to Mecca to fulfil the Islamic religious obligation.
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“Mr. Speaker, I cannot account for two of my pilgrims. I have been calling our Consular Officer there to help us find where they are because some of them are very old people,” Mr. Ayariga said, pointing to language difficulties and the inexperience of first-time international travellers as possible contributing factors.
“It is becoming very challenging, and this is the first time many of them are venturing outside Ghana, so sometimes when they get there, they get mixed up with other countries,” he added.
Seven confirmed dead; identities withheld
In a related development, the Ghana Hajj Board has confirmed the deaths of seven Ghanaian pilgrims during this year’s Hajj. The deceased include five women and two men who died while undertaking the physically demanding pilgrimage under often extreme desert conditions.
Although the specific causes of death were not disclosed, the Board noted that the identities of the deceased would be withheld until all protocols, including notification of families, were completed.
Compared to the previous year, when 17 Ghanaian pilgrims died during the Hajj, the 2025 figure represents a 59 percent decline, a fact noted by observers as a modest improvement in what remains a high-risk religious obligation for elderly and vulnerable participants.
Over 6,000 Ghanaians took part in 2025 Hajj
More than 6,000 Ghanaian Muslims joined over two million faithful from around the world in the annual pilgrimage to Islam’s holiest sites in Mecca and Medina.
The Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is mandatory for all able-bodied Muslims who can afford the journey, and is considered a major spiritual milestone.
However, Mr. Ayariga believes the absence of a formal legal framework for managing the Hajj in Ghana poses administrative challenges that must be addressed urgently.
“So, after the Hajj, we cannot account for our people; the Foreign Affairs Minister is the person we should be working with. I have said that perhaps it is time for this House and the country to have legislation on Hajj instead of it just being a committee,” he argued.
Call for ministerial briefing on hajj management
Mr. Ayariga’s concerns were echoed by Mr. Dominic Nitiwul, MP for Bimbilla and a former Defence Minister, who urged Parliament to summon the Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs for a comprehensive briefing on the overall coordination and safety of the 2025 Hajj.
In response, the sector Minister, Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim, acknowledged the need for greater accountability and promised that Parliament would receive a full report once the official review by the Hajj Committee, chaired by MP Collins Dauda, was concluded.
“Mr. Speaker, in briefing Parliament, you must be on point. You are asking this question to help this country prevent further recurrence. A report will be submitted. Let’s exercise restraint,” the Minister said.
Growing consensus for reform
The latest concerns in Parliament underscore a growing consensus across party lines for reforms in the management of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, particularly to address issues of safety, oversight, and the well-being of elderly pilgrims.
While Ghana’s Hajj operations have seen some improvements in recent years, the recurring loss of lives and reports of missing persons have raised questions about the adequacy of current structures, including pre-departure orientation, medical screening, consular support, and emergency protocols abroad.
Stakeholders, including MPs and religious leaders, are now pushing for the formal institutionalisation of Hajj arrangements through legislation that will clearly define roles, responsibilities, and standards for care and accountability.
