Veep calls on Muslim Pilgrims to comport themselves

Accra, Oct 25, GNA- Vice President John Dramani Mahama on Monday called on Muslim Pilgrims performing this year's Hajj to comport themselves decently in order to maintain the respect the outside world has for Ghanaians.

"Over the years, Ghanaian pilgrims have portrayed themselves as true Muslims, and I therefore have no doubt that you will even go beyond the performance of previous Pilgrims to market your country to others." Vice President Mahama who made this call when he was conducted round the tents erected to accommodate pilgrims at the Hajj Village at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra, commended Zoomlion Ghana Limited for erecting those tents free of charge for the second year running for the pilgrims.

The office of the Vice President in collaboration with Creator Digital, a subsidiary of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, constructed a village with air-conditioned tent accommodation for all the prospective Pilgrims, including washrooms, a mosque, a clinic, office of Immigration service and office of the Hajj Committee to take care of their needs. This year about 2,500 pilgrims are expected to perform the month-long Hajj in Mecca, with the first batch of 200 expected to fly on Monday, October 25.

The Vice President urged them to use their time in praying for Ghanaians as a whole to achieve their socio-economic development needs in the coming years, adding 'we believe that you will pray for all Ghanaians to remain united to achieve our common goals.'

Mr. Fennec Okyere, Director of Operations for Creator Digital, said his outfit was spending a total of GH¢500,000.00 on the entire Hajj Village project, adding "it is part of our social responsibility to all Ghanaians and we hope to do better in the coming years."

He commended the Vice President for initiating the programme and gave the assurance that his organisation would continue to collaborate with government to support organized groups in the country. 25 Oct. 10