The Government at the weekend urged Ghanaian pilgrims embarking on this year’s Hajj to pray for the nation and peaceful elections.

Mr. Lieutenant General Joseph Henry Smith, Minister of Defence, addressed the pilgrims on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama before the departure of the pilgrims at the Hajj Village in Accra.

He said “the Government is committed to the welfare of Muslims in the country and that all measures have been put in place to avoid inconveniences to the pilgrims”.

He stated that the Pilgrims from the Northern, Upper East and West regions would be airlifted from the Tamale Airport to Accra as promised by the President to reduce the burden and pressure on officials at the Hajj village.

He said the first batch of pilgrims departed from Ghana on Saturday to Medina, Saudi Arabia, adding that, this year there will be daily flights for the pilgrims, with the last flight on 12th October.

Mr. Smith added that the Hajj would be restricted to only the pilgrims and that the Customs, Immigration Officers, the Hajj Task Force and Officers of the Hajj committee would be performing their duties in compliance with the security agencies.

He also alerted the pilgrims to desist from carrying illegal materials which were not allowed by the international aviation system.

“The Hajj Village has been relocated from El-walk Stadium to the Kotoka International Airport due to the Allied Air cargo plane crash at the site a couple of months ago,” he added.