The 2026 Hajj pilgrimage for Ghanaian Muslims has come to a close, with pilgrims safely returning home after completing the annual Islamic journey to Saudi Arabia.

The Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Hajj Board, Alhaji Haruna Mohammed, said the pilgrimage went largely well, though some participants faced health challenges along the way. He said most pilgrims were able to complete the religious rites successfully.

Alhaji Haruna praised the Hajj Board’s communications team for helping manage the movement and welfare of pilgrims during the trip. According to him, the team played an important role in keeping operations running smoothly.

Alhaji Haruna also revealed that some pilgrims who were at Tamale International Airport were transported by bus to Accra so they could continue their journey with the rest of the group. He said the board provided them with food and money during the transfer.

But he said the experience also exposed weaknesses in pilgrim behaviour, noting that a few Ghanaian pilgrims did not maintain proper hygiene or discipline while in Saudi Arabia. He said some left areas untidy and others reportedly damaged hotel property after losing room keys.

He called for stronger education and orientation for future pilgrims, especially on cleanliness, discipline and the need to respect public property. He also advised people planning to register for future Hajj trips to ensure they are in good physical condition before travelling.

By Mariam Alhassan