Two Ghanaian Pilgrims Missing After Hajj – Ayariga Raises Alarm in Parliament

Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, has disclosed that two pilgrims from his constituency who participated in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage are currently unaccounted for, drawing fresh attention to Ghana’s Hajj management framework.

Mr. Ayariga expressed his growing concern over the safety and coordination of Ghanaian pilgrims, many of whom are elderly and inexperienced travelers.

“I cannot account for two of my pilgrims. I have been calling our Consular Officer there to help us find where they are because some of them are very old people.

“You go to an event where there are over one million people attending, they are not educated, and they don’t speak any other language,” he said.

Ayariga pointed to the unique challenges faced by first-time pilgrims navigating crowded conditions in a foreign land.

“It is becoming very challenging, and this is the first time many of them are venturing outside Ghana, so sometimes when they get there, they get mixed up with other countries,” he explained while speaking on the floor of Parliament.

He further called for stronger institutional oversight of Hajj operations. “So, when, after the Hajj, we cannot account for our people, the Foreign Affairs Minister is the person we should be working with.

“I have said that perhaps it is time for this House and the country to have legislation on Hajj instead of it just being a committee,” he added.

His remarks were echoed by Dominic Nitiwul, MP for Bimbilla and former Defence Minister, who called on the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to brief Parliament on the conduct of the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage.

In response, Deputy Minister Ahmed Ibrahim assured the House that a full briefing would follow the submission of a report from the Hajj Committee, chaired by Collins Dauda.

“In briefing Parliament, you must be on point. You are asking this question to help this country prevent further recurrence.

“A report will be submitted. Let’s exercise restraint. When a report is submitted by Collins Dauda’s committee, then we can come and brief you appropriately,” he stated.