“We have fulfilled our promise to Muslims” – H.E Mahama

President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to supporting the Muslim community by fulfilling two key promises, extending the Eid al-Fitr holiday and significantly reducing the cost of the Hajj pilgrimage.

He made this assertion at the Kintampo College of Health and Well-Being on Wednesday as part of his nationwide thank-you tour. President Mahama disclosed that his administration has successfully added an extra day to the Eid al-Fitr holiday, allowing Muslim citizens more time to observe and celebrate the important Islamic festival.

According to him, the legislative move is expected to institutionalize the additional holiday, making it a permanent part of Ghana’s national calendar and promoting greater inclusivity for the Muslim community

“We fulfilled our promise of adding an additional day to the Eid al-Fitr holiday for our Muslim brothers and sisters. The bill to amend the holiday act in order to make that holiday permanent is ready for Parliament, and so from next year, it will not be by executive instruments but it will be automatically an act of Parliament that makes that day a holiday.

“We also reduced the fare for carrying out the Hajj pilgrimage, yesterday the last aircraft airlifted our pilgrims to Mecca, and we reduced the fare from GHc75,000 to GHc 62,000. I can foresee that with the performance of the Cedi, because at the time we started paying for the Hajj, the Cedi was at GHc15.5p  to $1, so the fare that we came up with for the $4,000 that it cost to do the Hajj came to Ghc62,000.” He explained

President John Dramani Mahama further revealed that with the Cedi now performing at around GHS 10.50 to the dollar, Ghanaians could expect an even more affordable Hajj fare next year.

“Next year, if you do a calculation where the city is currently at 10.5, it means that next year, the fare for Hajj will probably go below GHc 50,000 Ghana cities.  If the cedi keeps performing the way it is, it will give more relief to our brothers and sisters who will decide to embark on the Hajj.” He said.

The announcement was met with appreciation from the audience, especially members of the Muslim community, many of whom view the initiatives as a testament to the government’s commitment to religious inclusion and economic relief.

Source: Elvisanokyenews.net