President Nana Akufo-Addo has urged Muslims who will embark on this year’s Hajj to pray for him, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and the country.

“We are going to take you up on the pledge that the Chairman of the Hajj board has made that the pilgrims, when you go to Mecca this year, will pray for me, will pray for the vice president and the nation Ghana,” he noted.

He made the call during the swearing in of the new Hajj Board on Thursday, February 16.

On his part, the chairman of the newly inducted Hajj Board, Sheikh I.C. Quaye, pledged to take the necessary measures to prevent any hitches in the organisation of this year's Hajj.

He said unlike past years when all pilgrims converge on one place to be airlifted, creating chaos and confusion, his administration would find alternatives to ensure that the process became stress-free.

Speaking to Class FM’s Kwesi Parker Wilson, he said: “This time the pilgrims are not going to converge [on] one place where there will be struggles and all that. You will be informed two days ahead so those who are to leave are those who will go and converge and get the flight.”

He assured the Muslim community that in the instance that a person is unable to make the trip after payment, he or she would be reimbursed.

“We are not going to face a situation where people will pay and will not go. All those who pay must have the opportunity of performing the Hajj,” he stated.

According to him, debts that have been incurred will be “managed” to enable Muslims embark on the next pilgrimage with ease and in comfort.