The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced new measures to expedite passport processing specifically for Hajj pilgrims, ensuring a smoother and more efficient application process.
Speaking at the Hajj Village on Tuesday, 4th March, he described the initiative as a milestone in Ghana’s history, aimed at making passport acquisition easier for pilgrims.
“For the first time in our nation’s history, the Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has taken deliberate steps to streamline and expedite passport processing specifically for Hajj pilgrims. This initiative, which has the full support of His Excellency, the President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, is testament to the government’s commitment to serving the needs of all Ghanaians, regardless of their background, and ensuring that every citizen has access to essential government services in a timely and efficient manner,” he stated.
He underscored the significance of Hajj as a deeply spiritual and transformative journey for Muslims, emphasizing the government’s commitment to facilitating a smooth pilgrimage experience.
“Ladies and gentlemen, as we all know, Hajj is a deeply spiritual and transformative journey. The Holy Quran admonishes every Muslim who is financially and physically capable to undertake it at least once in their lifetime. It is a journey of faith, devotion, and unity, bringing together millions of Muslims from all over the world in an act of obedience to Almighty Allah,” he added.
The new system is expected to eliminate bureaucratic delays, providing a seamless travel experience for Ghanaian pilgrims. The move has been widely welcomed by the Muslim community as a step toward inclusivity and improved public service delivery.
Mr Ablakwa assured Ghanaians that similar efforts would be implemented across various sectors to enhance accessibility and efficiency in government services.
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