The Chairman of the National Hajj Task Force, Alhaji Collins Dauda, has confirmed that six Ghanaian pilgrims who died during the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca had pre-existing health conditions.
Speaking to the media, Alhaji Dauda said the families of the deceased have been officially informed, and arrangements are underway to honour their memory upon the return of the main Ghanaian contingent later this month.
His comments come days after the Ghana Hajj Board announced the deaths of seven Ghanaian pilgrims during this year’s pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. The deceased include five women and two men. While their names have not been made public, the Board has reached out to the affected families and extended its condolences on behalf of the nation.
Clarifying the figures, Alhaji Dauda noted that six of the deceased were part of the official Ghanaian delegation, while the seventh individual had travelled independently on a tourist visa.
“From our contingent, I can confirm six deaths. We have received information about a seventh person who also passed away, but he did not travel with the official group. He went on a tourist visa. Nevertheless, he is Ghanaian,” he said.
He further explained that those who passed away were elderly and had existing medical conditions. “It was not our wish for this to happen, but it was the will of Allah,” he added.
Alhaji Dauda also noted that special prayers were offered in Mecca for the departed souls, and they were buried in accordance with Islamic rites. Once the full Ghanaian delegation returns, the Hajj Board will consider the appropriate steps to further honour the deceased.
