Government does not organise Hajj - Mpiani

Accra, June 29, GNA - Mr. Kwadwo Mpiani, Minister of Presidential Affairs on Wednesday said government is not responsible for organising the Hajj and that he is not in the position to determine when the unaccompanied luggage of the 2005 pilgrims would arrive. He said government is concerned about the welfare of the pilgrims who are Ghanaians and would readily intervene when the need for help arises.

Mr. Mpiani said this in Parliament when asked by Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, NDC MP for Asawase when the 2005 pilgrims who returned from Mecca would receive their unaccompanied luggage.

The Minister denied that government created the Hajj Board and that he does not know who appoints the chairman of the Hajj Board. When Dr. Benjamin Kunbuor, NDC MP for Lawra-Nandom wanted to know whether the handling of luggage of the pilgrims was not of concern to government, Mr. Mpianim reiterated his earlier stance that government does not organise Hajj, and that he hopes their luggage would soon come as government wishes.