The Member of Parliament of Akim Swedru, Kennedy Nyarko Osei, has addressed the government's claim that the construction of a permanent Hajj Village in Accra will not be funded with taxpayer money.

According to the lawmaker, one thing the government has failed to recognise or understand is that the project, which is being developed by the Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL), involves public funds, as it is a state-owned enterprise.

Nyarko Osei explained that since the Hajj Village will be developed using funds allocated through GACL, it still constitutes state funds, which he argues rightfully belong to Ghanaians.

“Felix Kwakye Ofosu, my brother, note that GCAA and GACL funds are all public funds. Every fund from these two agencies is for the state. So, the application of GACL funds for the construction of a Hajj Village is still state funds which belong to the Ghanaian people,” he posted on Facebook on March 3, 2025, in response to Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications.

Nyarko Osei, representing the New Patriotic Party (NPP), also clarified his position on the construction of the Hajj village.

He stated that he is not opposed to the use of state resources for the project, as long as it benefits Muslims in the country.

However, he emphasised that the ordinary Ghanaian taxpayer deserves to be informed about the true source of funding for such projects, urging the government to be honest and transparent in addressing these issues, rather than being mired in secrecy.

“I don’t have any problem if the John Mahama Government wants to use state funds to construct a Hajj Village for our Muslim brothers and sisters but we need to be truthful and honest to the Ghanaian taxpayer. I am speaking as the immediate past Chairman of the Roads and Transport Committee of Parliament,” he added.

The lawmaker’s response follows the government's assertion that no funds from the coffers of the government of Ghana will be allocated to the new Hajj Village project being constructed at the Kotoka International Airport.

Amidst public criticisms of the project and possible funding by the government, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, in a social media post on Sunday, March 2, 2025, clarified that the Hajj Village is an airport terminal being built to facilitate the check-in and processing of pilgrims embarking on the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

“The Hajj Village is primarily an Airport Terminal Building for check-in and pilgrim facilitation owned and being built by the Ghana Airport Company. Not a pesewa of taxpayers' money involved,” he wrote.

President John Dramani Mahama on Friday, February 28, 2025, cut sod for the construction of a new Hajj Village.

There has been widespread criticism over the source of funding for the project with some critics equating the Hajj Village to the National Cathedral project started under the erstwhile Nana Akufo-Addo government.



MAG/AE

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