2026 Hajj Quota of 5,960 Filled, Latecomers Must Wait Until Next Year – President Mahama 

Ghana’s Hajj quota of 5,960 for 2026 has been filled.

Latecomers would have to wait until next year as government will not reopen registration.

President John Dramani Mahama announced this on Thursday during the commissioning of the Akweteman Central Mosque.

He stated that his last meeting with the Hajj Board confirmed that the quota had been reached and late registrations will not be entertained.

“This year, we are giving a quota of 5,960. And we reduced the price to GH₵60,000. My last meeting with the Hajj committee is that we have filled the quota,” President Mahama said.

He explained that government wants to end the usual practice where people delay payment and wait until the last minute, then expect registration to be reopened for them.

“We don’t want the usual practice where people delay in coming to pay. And they wait at the last minute. And they want us to open it again so that they’ll come and pay. It normally creates a problem for us. Because that’s what leads to delays. That is what leads to some people being left behind,” the President said.

President Mahama asked Ghanaians to understand the Hajj Board’s position, noting that those who missed the deadline should wait until next year for another opportunity.

“I will ask you to understand the Hajj committee. They say they’ve reached the quota. And so those who are late, you just have to wait till next year. It’s God who decides when you go to Mecca. And so if you don’t go this year, next year you will have the opportunity,” he stated.

The President called on all Ghanaians to cooperate with the Hajj Board to ensure a peaceful Hajj exercise this year.

He disclosed that the Board has already done preparatory work including securing good accommodation closer to the Kaaba, obtaining accommodation in Medina, and arranging transport for pilgrims.

“They have gotten good accommodation, which is closer to the Kaaba. They have got accommodation in Medina and everything. They are arranging the transport and all that. And I am sure that this year we are going to have a very good exercise,” President Mahama said.

The President revealed that government reduced the Hajj price to GH₵60,000 to make the pilgrimage more affordable for Ghanaian Muslims.

He added that the Ghana Airport Company is building a transit terminal specifically for Hajj operations, but it will not be ready for use this year.

“The transit terminal is still being built. The airport transit terminal, Ghana Airport Company is building. And it will be available to us to use anytime we are conducting the Hajj. Unfortunately, it’s not completed. And so this year we’ll not be able to use it,” the President explained.

However, he assured that from 2027, pilgrims going to Hajj will have a comfortable transit terminal to use at the airport.

President Mahama was speaking at the commissioning of the Akweteman Central Mosque, which he said was completed after structural issues with the foundation and pillars were addressed to ensure safety.

The President extended Ramadan greetings in advance, praying that all the blessings of the holy month would be bestowed on Ghanaians and the nation.

Richard Aniagyei, ISD