President John Dramani Mahama has announced that there would be a reduction in Hajj fares next year should the stabilisation of the cedi against the dollar remain unchanged.
He disclosed that the government was also engaging with relevant agencies and Saudi authorities.
Speaking during Eid ul Adha celebrations in Accra on Friday, June 6, 2025, the president said the cost for the hajj this year still remained high despite efforts to have it reduced.
“This year, despite efforts, the cost remained high even though we cut it,” he said. “But I want to assure you, we are working closely with the relevant agencies and our Saudi counterparts… If Allah accepts our supplications and the cedi continues to show the recent strength that it has shown, I am optimistic that next year we will see a very significant drop in the Hajj fare.”
According to the president, if pilgrims were travelling at current exchange rates, the fare would have been around GHS45,000—a marked decrease from current prices.
He further announced that the government will submit before Parliament legislation to make Eid ul-Fitr a statutory public holiday.
When this is approved, it will mean that the holiday will not longer require an executive instrument to declare the day a holiday.
The president added that his team has prepared a bill to make Eid ul Fitr a statutory public holiday, which will soon be submitted to Parliament.
“It means that it will be a law and no longer be declared by executive instrument,” he explained.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
