2 Ghanaian pilgrims confirmed dead in Saudi Arabia

Two Ghanaian Muslims embarking on this year’s pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia have been confirmed dead.

A 53-year-old man and 56-year-old woman are said to have died from cardiac arrest.

Chairman of the Hajj Committee Ibrahim Abdul-Rauf Tanko confirmed the news to Joy News and said the two have been buried in line with Islamic tradition.

Meanwhile, the Hajj Committee has dismissed reports that Ghanaians embarking on the pilgrimage have been left stranded without food and water in Mina.

"The amount that each pilgrim pays...involves mattresses and feeding and that is being [provided] to the pilgrims. They are fed, they are given mattresses, so anybody who says that they not fed or they have not been given mattresses...the person is telling lies", said Abdul-Rauf Tanko.

Some of the pilgrims who spoke to Joy News accused the organizers of doing little to address their concerns but Chairman of the Committee explained that despite the challenges, everything is being done to ensure the pilgrims have access to food and shelter.

"There is no way you will come from Arafat...to Mina [in Saudi Arabia] and you won't have a single problem", Abdul-Rauf Tanko stated.