The immediate past Hajj Board has disclosed that it successfully reduced the legacy debts inherited from its predecessor by over $2.9 million ($2,940,750).
The Board explained that it brought down the debt from $7.8 million to approximately $4.8 million ($4,859,250) before handing over to the new administration.
Inherited debt from 2016 Hajj operations
Addressing concerns regarding the financial burden passed on to the current Hajj Board, former Hajj Board Chairman Alhaj Ben Abdallah Banda clarified that the debt originated from the 2016 Hajj operations under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration.
He stated that at the start of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s tenure in 2017, the Board inherited an outstanding amount of $7.8 million from the previous Hajj managers.
Stranded pilgrims included in debt
Lawyer Banda explained that part of the inherited debt was due to 425 fully paid prospective pilgrims who were unable to travel for Hajj in 2016.
These pilgrims were entitled to either a refund or rebooking for subsequent Hajj seasons.
However, he said through the intervention of then-President Akufo-Addo and Vice-President Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the stranded pilgrims were eventually airlifted to Saudi Arabia.
Final debt status at the end of tenure
As the Board concluded its tenure in 2024, a total outstanding debt of $4,859,250 was documented in the official handing-over notes.
These records were presented to the Chief of Staff at the Presidency as part of the transition process.
Calls for fair assessment of legacy debt
Lawyer Banda criticized attempts to reference the current legacy debt without acknowledging the substantial reduction achieved since 2017.
He described such claims as unfair and misleading, emphasizing that governance is a continuous process where both assets and liabilities are inherited.
He further explained that debts incurred during Hajj operations are influenced by multiple factors, with currency exchange rate fluctuations playing a significant role in the financial challenges faced by the Board.
Appeal for transparency and unity
Banda urged the current Hajj Taskforce to provide a full historical account of the legacy debt to avoid creating unnecessary divisions within the Muslim community.
He emphasized the importance of transparency in addressing financial matters related to Hajj operations.
“The erstwhile Hajj Board wishes the current Hajj Taskforce well in this year’s Hajj operations,” he said.
