MP wants Probe into Hajj activities

Page 15, Dec 17, 2007
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah

THE Member of Parliament for Ayawaso East, Dr Mustapha Ahmed, has called on Parliament to institute a judicial inquiry into the organisation of the Hajj over the last five years, pursuant to Article 278 (IC) of the 1992 Constitution.
On behalf of the Muslim Caucus in Parliament, the MP also made an urgent appeal to the government to intervene to ensure that this year’s pilgrims embarked on their trip to this important spiritual exercise without any further delay.
Dr Ahmed made the call in an urgent statement on the floor of Parliament on the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca.
He said it was rather unfortunate that the nation had been subjected once again to one of the worse embarrassment in the history of Hajj organisation in the country.
“Indeed, as I speak, not even a single pilgrim from Ghana has been airlifted to the Kingdom of South Arabia,” he said last Wednesday, adding that the situation was of grave concern to the Muslim Community in the country.
He noted that the fate of the 2,700 pilgrims for this year, and an additional 499 arising out of last year’s mess remained uncertain, despite assurances from the Hajj Council and some government officials.
“May I express our disgust and disappointment at the Council for the poor organisation and dehumanising treatment to which the pilgrims have been subjected.