Kumasi, Feb 6, GNA - The Ashanti Regional branch of the Ghana Muslim Mission (GMM) has reiterated calls on the Interim National Hajj Committee to render accounts of its stewardship. Addressing a press conference in Kumasi, the Mission condemned the organizers of the 2006/7 Hajj for "the untold hardship" that pilgrims went through in Accra and beyond, and stressed that any future pilgrimage should be organized properly to sustain the dignity of pilgrims.

The GMM also suggested that a National Independent Hajj Committee, devoid of ethnicity be set up, comprising all identifiable Islamic groups and representative of government as early as possible to start work on next year's pilgrimage.

The press conference was addressed by Alhaji Musah Kofi Nuamah, Secretary of the Mission.

He said all future Hajj operations should be decentralized with operational offices established in each region with paid officers to enhance transparency, orderliness and decency on pilgrimage to Mecca. "Our aim is not to create any stir but to contribute towards the enhancement of proper and progressive preparations for Hajj operations in the country to uphold the image of Islam in particular and the nation and to attract the favour and blessings of the Almighty Allah". The Mission expressed gratitude to President John Agyekum Kufuor for his "thought provoking and timely intervention", following an appeal to him from the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Sharabutu, to save the eminent collapse of this year's pilgrimage.