Hajj 2026: Ghana to Begin Airlift on May 1, Deploys 18 Flights for 5,000 Pilgrims
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
The Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana, operating under the supervision of the Ghana Hajj Board, has announced that airlifting of Ghanaian pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will commence on May 1, 2026.
The operation targets approximately 5,000 pilgrims and will run 18 scheduled flights, starting in Tamale and then continuing from Accra.
The Communications Director of the Pilgrims Affairs Office, Alhaji Mohammed Amin Lamptey, disclosed this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on Friday.
He confirmed that authorities will deploy an advance delegation to Saudi Arabia ahead of the first flight to secure logistics, coordinate reception arrangements, and ensure readiness for incoming pilgrims.
According to him, the Ghana Hajj Board has concluded three strategic stakeholder engagements aimed at addressing recurring operational bottlenecks in the pilgrimage process.
Key issues identified include crowd management inefficiencies, logistical gaps, and breaches of safety protocols.
Lamptey emphasized improved inter-agency coordination across ICT, administration, communications, and religious guidance units, noting that the agencies have strengthened operational integration ahead of the 2026 exercise.
He further referenced advisories from the Ghana Embassy in Saudi Arabia, noting that Ambassador Alhaji Said Sinare has urged pilgrims to strictly comply with Saudi regulations, particularly regarding prohibited items and procedural conduct.
Authorities strongly cautioned pilgrims against transporting contraband substances, including narcotics, warning that violations could attract severe legal consequences under Saudi law.
Lamptey also underscored the reputational stakes for participants, stressing that pilgrims carry the responsibility of safeguarding “the image of Ghana, the image of Islam, and the image of Muslims in Ghana.”
He further warned against the use of unauthorized or “backdoor” channels for pilgrimage registration, citing security and compliance risks.
According to him, authorities have rejected several passport applications due to biometric records linked to irregular registration pathways in previous years.
“The equation is changing,” he noted, indicating tighter enforcement of travel verification protocols for the 2026 Hajj operation.
