Hajj Task force Warns against Tourist Visa Usage for 2025 Pilgrimage
By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi
The Head of Corporate Affairs of the Ghana Hajj task force, Alhaji A.B.A. Fuseini, has issued a stern warning to prospective pilgrims attempting to use tourist visas to perform this year’s Hajj, stating that such individuals risk arrest and possible prosecution.
Speaking the media in Accra, Alhaji Fuseini emphasized that the Saudi Arabian authorities, in collaboration with Ghana’s Hajj task force and immigration agencies, have tightened surveillance and enforcement to clamp down on irregular travel arrangements.
“Anyone who attempts to travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Hajj 2025 using a tourist visa will be arrested, repatriated, and may face legal consequences,” he cautioned. “We are working closely with the necessary security agencies to ensure full compliance with pilgrimage protocols.”
This firm position comes amid growing concerns over the misuse of tourist and business visas for religious purposes, a practice that contravenes Saudi Arabia’s immigration laws and has previously resulted in the detention and deportation of Ghanaian nationals.
In a significant policy move, Alhaji Fuseini also announced a reduction in the official Hajj fee from the previously pegged GH₵75,000 to GH₵62,000 per pilgrim. He noted that the reduction reflects the Mahama-led administration’s commitment to easing the financial burden on Ghanaian Muslims seeking to fulfill the fifth pillar of Islam.
“This fulfills a key campaign promise made by President John Dramani Mahama to reduce the cost of Hajj and make the pilgrimage more accessible to the ordinary Ghanaian Muslim,” he said. “It’s a testament to this government’s sensitivity to the needs of the Muslim community.”
The new fee covers airfare, accommodation, feeding, transportation in Saudi Arabia, medical services, and other logistics necessary for a smooth and dignified Hajj experience. Alhaji Fuseini further assured prospective pilgrims that the Ghana Hajj Taskforce has made adequate preparations to ensure a seamless process from departure to return.
According to officials, over 3,500 Ghanaian Muslims are expected to undertake the pilgrimage this year. Alhaji Fuseini appealed to all would-be pilgrims to register through the approved regional Hajj boards and avoid middlemen or unauthorized agents.
“Let us do things the right way. Hajj is not just a physical journey — it’s a spiritual obligation that must be undertaken with sincerity, lawfulness, and dignity,” he concluded. This year’s Hajj is expected to begin in mid-June, subject to the sighting of the moon and final confirmation by Saudi authorities.
