The Ghana Hajj Board has confirmed the death of seven Ghanaian pilgrims—five women and two men—during this year’s pilgrimage to Mecca.
The unfortunate news was made public by the Board’s chairman, Alhaji Collins Dauda, in an interview with TV3 on Saturday, June 7.
He described the deaths as deeply sorrowful and offered heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. “Death is always painful, but it is part of life. We sympathize with the families and will be visiting them soon,” he said.
Though their identities remain undisclosed, the Board has reached out to relatives of the deceased and assured them of national support. In line with Islamic tradition, all seven pilgrims were laid to rest in Saudi Arabia.
Over 6,000 Ghanaians took part in this year’s Hajj, joining over two million Muslims worldwide in the sacred rituals.
The pilgrimage, known for its physically demanding nature, was made even more challenging by extreme temperatures, with reports from Mecca indicating heat levels above 48°C.
Health experts say such conditions can pose serious risks, particularly to the elderly and those with underlying health issues.
Despite the tragedies, this year saw a notable drop in fatalities—from 17 deaths in 2024 to seven in 2025, a 59% reduction.
Alhaji Dauda credited this improvement to enhanced collaboration with Saudi health officials, improved medical screening before departure, and the presence of dedicated Ghanaian health teams on the ground.
