President Mahama Inaugurates New Ghana Hajj Board, Calls for Digital Revolution in Pilgrimage Management

President John Dramani Mahama has officially inaugurated Ghana’s six (6) new Hajj Board out of nine members , The ceremony proceeded without the Chairman of the Board and two female members who are currently in Mecca. President Mahama emphasized the sacred responsibility of managing the annual pilgrimage to Mecca and calling for comprehensive reforms to ensure transparency and efficiency in the process.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Mahama described the Hajj Board as “more than just an administrative body,” stating that “it is an institution that ensures that thousands of Ghanaian pilgrims fulfil one of the highest pillars of Islam with dignity and peace every year.”

Zero Tolerance for Exploitation:

The President took a strong stance against the exploitation of pilgrims, declaring: “The Ghana Hajj must never be a source of exploitation or profiteering. It is haram to exploit the sweat of a poor pilgrim.”

He emphasized that many pilgrims “have saved for years” for this sacred journey and should not “suffer anxiety, confusion, or unfair treatment at the hands of officials or especially middlemen.”

Digital Transformation Initiative:

In a significant policy announcement, President Mahama revealed plans for comprehensive digitization of Hajj operations. “Operations of the Hajj Board must be fully digitized. From this year, all authorized payments must be receipted electronically and verifiably,” he stated.

The digital transformation will include:

– E-registration of pilgrims

– SMS notifications to mobile phones

– A dedicated Hajj mobile application

– An online portal for registration, payment tracking, and travel information

“We can use digital technology not only to reduce fraud and congestion, but also to improve data management for future planning,” the President explained.

Five-Point Reform Agenda:

President Mahama outlined five critical areas for the new Board to focus on:

Early Planning: “Begin preparations immediately for the next Hajj. Announce schedules, registration processes, and cost structures promptly,” he instructed, adding that “last-minute changes must become a thing of the past.”

Transparency: “Pilgrims and their families must know how their money is used. All payments must pass through approved traceable channels. No unofficial levies. No hidden charges.”

Safety and Welfare: The President emphasized coordination with health services and diplomatic missions, stating: “Pay special attention to elderly pilgrims, women, and persons with disabilities. Their comfort is also a sacred duty of the Hajj Board.”

Professional Conduct: “Every official from the Board members to volunteers must act with courtesy, discipline, fairness, and honesty.”

Partnership: “Keep open and constant engagement with the Office of the National Chief Imam, with your regional imams, with our travel partners and agents, and especially with the Saudi authorities.”

National Unity and Religious Harmony:

Reflecting on Ghana’s religious diversity, President Mahama noted: “Our country has always drawn strength from our diversity. Christians, Muslims, and people of other faiths live peacefully together in harmony, celebrating each other’s seasons of worship.”

He emphasized that “the Hajj belongs to the entire Muslim community across Ghana. It is not a monopoly of any one group. From the Zongos of Accra to Tamale, from Wa to Bolgatanga, from Koforidua to Takoradi, the Hajj belongs to the whole of Ghana.”

Accountability Measures:

The President announced that the Hajj Board will operate under strict oversight, with “periodic reporting to the Office of the Chief of Staff.” He expects “a comprehensive report that covers the finances, logistics, health, and safety outcomes, and the lessons learned to be presented to the Chief of Staff for preparation for the following year.”

Spiritual Significance:

President Mahama reminded the new Board members of their sacred duty: “Remember that every pilgrim carries a personal dream, a lifetime aspiration, to stand on the plains of Arafat and give his supplications to the Almighty Allah. And so treat that dream they have with reverence.”

The President invoked Quranic guidance, referencing “Surah An-Nisa, Chapter 4, verse 58, that whoever is entrusted with a trust must faithfully discharge that trust.”

The new Hajj Board is expected to begin immediate preparations for the upcoming pilgrimage season, with the digital transformation initiatives set to be implemented before the next registration period opens.

President Mahama Commissions Tema Port Expansion: Ghana Stakes Claim as West Africa’s Maritime Gateway

President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday 13th November, 2025 , officially commissioned the expanded Tema Port, describing the multibillion-dollar project as “one of the most ambitious infrastructure developments in Africa’s maritime sector” and a major step toward positioning Ghana as the gateway to West Africa.

The ceremony marked the completion of phases one and two of the landmark public–private partnership between Meridian Port Services (MPS), APM Terminals and other partners. The collaboration, driven by an innovative financing model, required no government funding — a point President Mahama highlighted as proof of Ghana’s ability to leverage private capital for national development.

A New Era for Ghana’s Maritime Competitiveness

Addressing stakeholders, President Mahama said the facility represents more than an upgrade to Ghana’s port infrastructure. “This project is more than a Ghanaian achievement. It is an African statement,” he declared, noting the port’s role in boosting regional trade within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), whose secretariat is based in Accra.

With enhanced capacity and advanced systems, Tema Port now functions as the preferred first-call terminal for major shipping lines entering the Gulf of Guinea. The expanded terminal allows mother vessels to offload containers in Tema, which are then redistributed by feeder vessels to ports in Monrovia, Freetown, Dakar, Douala and other West African destinations.

The project also strengthens Ghana’s position as the primary transit hub for landlocked neighbors Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

Economic Impact and Job Creation

Thousands of jobs have been created during the construction and operational phases of the expansion, supporting a wide network of industries including transport, logistics, warehousing, engineering, hospitality and maintenance.

President Mahama said the development has triggered “a ripple effect of enterprise and innovation in our economic ecosystem,” contributing to national economic transformation and diversification.

Showcasing Ghanaian Innovation

In a notable milestone for local technological capacity, the artificial intelligence algorithm driving the port’s operational systems was developed by young Ghanaian engineers.

The President also announced that additional will arrive by early 2027, a move expected to boost efficiency and help Tema Port achieve its target of becoming “the fastest-turnaround port in Africa.”

Future Outlook: Automation and Sustainability

Calling for continued investment, President Mahama encouraged stakeholders to embrace next-generation technologies and automation to keep pace with global trade dynamics.

Reflecting on the project’s long-term significance, he said: “A hundred years from now, I wonder how many of us will still be alive, but our children and grandchildren will be here operating these ports.”

Government Commitment

President Mahama reaffirmed the government’s dedication to creating a stable and predictable environment for major private-sector investments. He formally declared phases one and two of the port expansion commissioned, signalling the beginning of a new chapter in Ghana’s maritime development.

The expanded Tema Port stands as a symbol of what coordinated public policy, private investment and national vision can achieve — and a blueprint for future infrastructure projects across Africa.

The official investigation into the August 6 military helicopter crash has concluded that the tragic incident was caused by a sudden loss of altitude due to a powerful downdraft, a weather phenomenon that occurs when cool, dense air rapidly descends, forcing an aircraft downward unexpectedly.

Presenting the committee’s findings at the Presidency today Tuesday, 11th November, 2025, Captain (Rtd) Paul Forjoe, a member of the investigative team, explained that the aircraft’s behavior before impact was consistent with the effects of a downdraft.

“The investigation determined that the accident was caused by a sudden loss of altitude to the left due to downdraft,” Captain Forjoe said. “This loss of altitude, without any change in power or pitch attitude, is consistent with the downdraft associated with changing environmental conditions over high terrain.”

The committee, chaired by National Security Coordinator COP Abdul-Razak Osman, also uncovered systemic gaps in Ghana’s military aviation infrastructure, particularly in navigation, weather monitoring, and training.

“We found that there is limited national navigational capability for en route and remote areas where there are no weather services,” Captain Forjoe noted. “We also realized that the Air Force doesn’t have much simulator training, and there’s no flight data monitoring or aircraft tracking taking place for their flights.”

He added that the absence of critical systems such as secondary surveillance radar and automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) meant that real-time tracking of aircraft was not possible.

Recommendations for Safety and Modernization

In its report, the committee made far-reaching safety and modernization recommendations aimed at preventing future tragedies and strengthening the operational readiness of the Ghana Air Force.

“We have recommended that the Air Force acquire modern aircraft with terrain avoidance warning systems and advanced navigation equipment,” Captain Forjoe said. “The aircraft should also have cockpit voice recorders and flight data recorders — the audiovisual-capable types.”

He further emphasized the need for sustained investment in pilot training and weather services, saying:

“The Air Force should invest in simulators for recurrent training and contract certified aviation weather providers to enhance flight safety. As a nation, Ghana must also consider establishing en route navigational aids, especially in remote areas.”

The committee additionally urged the Air Force to establish flight data monitoring and en route tracking systems, and to modernize ground support equipment to meet contemporary operational demands.

“If these measures are implemented,” Captain Forjoe concluded, “they will go a long way to improve aviation safety, enhance operational efficiency, and align Ghana’s Air Force with international standards.”

The crash, which occurred near Brofuedru in the Ashanti Region, claimed the lives of ;

Dr. Edward Omane Boamah – Minister for Defence

Dr. Alhaji Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed – Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Alhaji Muniru Mohammed – Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator

Dr. Samuel Sarpong – Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress

Samuel Aboagye – Former Parliamentary Candidate

Sergeant Leader –Peter Bafemi Anala

Flying Officer –Manin Twum-Ampadu

Sergeant -Ernest Addo Mensah