The Patriotic Muslim Front (PMF) has expressed its heartfelt commendation to President John Dramani Mahama for constituting a five-member Hajj Task Force.

This move, according to the group, is timely and reflective of the President’s commitment to addressing challenges associated with Hajj operations in Ghana.

In a statement signed by its President, Alhaj Muhammed Haruna, PMF also congratulated Hon. Alhaj Collins Dawuda and the selected members of the task force, urging them to prioritize transparency, efficiency, and accountability in their work.

The statement emphasised the importance of fulfilling the President’s pledge to reduce and stabilize Hajj fares while enhancing the welfare of Ghanaian Muslim pilgrims.

The group also called on the task force to be transparent about the cost structure for Hajj 2025 and provide regular updates to the public. They urged the team to prioritize competence over speed, given that the Hajj season is just four months away.

“PMF will be very keen on what pertains to Hajj management going forward. The good people of Ghana, for that matter, the Muslim umma in respect of Hajj management and operations, will demand transparency and accountability from our leaders. While we are not oblivious to the fact that Hajj is about four months away with less time left to plan for the 2025 session, we still believe quality and competence should not be sacrificed for speed,” part of the statement read.

It continued, “Government must strive to draft a team of individuals with a proven track record in managing complex logistics, ensuring pilgrim welfare, and maintaining transparency and accountability in pricing and organization of this spiritual exercise.”

Additionally, the group reiterated its stance against the profit-driven approach to Hajj management, calling for reforms to ensure affordability and efficiency.

The PMF however recommended that the government include civil society representatives on the task force to enhance oversight, accountability, and transparency.

They stressed the need for the task force to focus solely on serving the Ghanaian Muslim community by ensuring a safe, affordable, and spiritually fulfilling Hajj experience.

In conclusion, the PMF reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with the task force and any other stakeholders involved in Hajj operations, provided they are competent and dedicated to improving the experience for pilgrims.

They expressed hope that Ghana’s Hajj operations would become a model of excellence in Africa and beyond.

The group offered a prayer for the success of the task force and the nation, urging all stakeholders to work together in prioritizing the welfare of pilgrims.

MA