Kumasi, June 23, GNA- Sheikh Nuhu Sharabutu, the National Chief Imam, on Saturday swore into office members of the new Hajj Committee, in Kumasi.

The 27-member group known as Ghana Pilgrimage Organisation, has been restructured and expanded to include representatives of all Muslim sects and organizations as well as the nine regional Chief Imams in the country.

Sheikh Sharabutu said the restructuring of the body was an all inclusive decision devoid of any sectional interest. He said the initiative was aimed at installing decency and trust in the operations of the Committee in the country.

Sheikh Sharabutu said the failure of the former National Hajj Council to airlift pilgrims to perform the Hajj had brought a lot of mistrust among Ghanaian Muslims.

He said there was therefore, the need to put things in order to bring back people's confidence in the Muslim body. The National Chief Imam said government was very much concerned about problems often associated with the Hajj organization and called on the members to be honest and dedicated to the ideals of Islam and perform their functions faithfully.

Mr. Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, Ashanti Regional Minister, expressed regret that most Muslims could not perform the Hajj last year due to fraudulent activities of some members of the Hajj board. He advised members of the new Committee against using the Hajj as a gold mine but to consider their role as a selfless duty to Allah. Alhaji Mohamadu Gado, Spokesman for the National Chief Imam, said the time had come to end the culture of impunity, and warned that any member caught misappropriating funds from the Hajj operations would not be spared.