President Mahama Pledges Hajj Fare Reduction in 2026
Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama pledges to cut Hajj fares in 2026 amid a strengthening cedi and confirms a new bill to make Eid ul Fitr a statutory public holiday.
Edem Latsu Nukafu eljourno 
President John Dramani Mahama has assured Ghana’s Muslim community of a significant reduction in Hajj fares for 2026, attributing this to the strengthening cedi and ongoing negotiations with Saudi authorities and relevant agencies.
Speaking during the Eid ul Adha celebrations in Accra on Friday, June 6, President Mahama acknowledged the high cost of this year’s pilgrimage despite earlier attempts to reduce it. He expressed optimism that next year’s fares will be substantially lower.
“This year, despite efforts, the cost remained high even though we cut it,” President Mahama said. “But I want to assure you, we are working closely with the relevant agencies and our Saudi counterparts… If Allah accepts our supplications and the cedi continues to show the recent strength that it has shown, I am optimistic that next year we will see a very significant drop in the Hajj fare.”
He added that if pilgrims had travelled under the current exchange rate conditions, the cost would have been about GHS45,000—a much lower figure compared to current rates.
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Eid ul Fitr to Become Statutory Holiday
In another major announcement, President Mahama revealed that his government is introducing a bill to make Eid ul Fitr a statutory public holiday in Ghana.
“It means that it will be a law and no longer be declared by executive instrument,” he said.
The move addresses a long-standing call by the Muslim community and is seen as a step toward greater recognition and inclusion of Islamic traditions in Ghana's national calendar.
Commitment to Inclusion and Relief
President Mahama’s dual promise of economic relief for pilgrims and religious recognition through legislation underscores his administration’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s diverse communities.
With the expected drop in Hajj fares and the push for a permanent Eid ul Fitr holiday, his message was one of unity, inclusion, and economic progress.
