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Former President John Dramani Mahama has given hope to Ghana’s Muslim community with a pledge to significantly reduce Hajj fares in 2026, should the Ghanaian cedi maintain its current strength.
Speaking during the Eid ul Adha celebrations in Accra on Friday, June 6, Mahama acknowledged the financial strain this year’s pilgrimage placed on families, despite government efforts to ease costs.
“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.”
Mahama noted that if the current exchange rate had been used for this year’s travel, Hajj fares would have hovered around GHS45,000 — a significant drop from the actual amount paid.
In a move that could further strengthen his bond with the Muslim community, the former president also announced that his team has drafted a bill to make Eid ul Fitr a statutory public holiday.
“It means that it will be a law and no longer be declared by executive instrument,” he explained.
