Accra, Nov. 15, GNA - Vice President John Dramani Mahama on Monday apologised to Muslims who could not undertake the pilgrimage to Mecca this year.

He said although government had put in measures to curb the perennial problems associated with the pilgrimage, it was regrettable that about 300 pilgrims could not make it.

Making the apology during a briefing with the Presidential Press Corps on his recent trip to the Czech Republic, Vice President Mahama gave the assurance that the disappointed Muslims would be among the first batch of Muslims that would undertake the pilgrimage next year.

He said the Government could not be associated with the problem because President John Evans Atta Mills personally wrote a letter to the Saudi Embassy in Accra for the acquisition of visas for the trip. "Government did its best to ensure an incident free pilgrimage this year, unfortunately for some strange reasons it was not to be and we give everything to Allah for him to direct all affairs," he added. Vice President Mahama said experts from the Czech Republic would arrive in Ghana soon to undertake feasibility studies on the construction of urban rail system and the generation and transmission of electricity to other parts of the country.

He said fruitful discussions were held with the Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas to revamp the Kumasi Shoe and Jute factories, Komenda Sugar and Aboso Glass factories.

On the Armanjaro issue, Vice President Mahama challenged those accusing him of any malfeasance to send the matter to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and other investigative bodies and was prepared to defend himself.

"I wonder why they choose to continue telling the same story even though I have on several times given my version of the story," he added. Vice President Mahama gave the assurance that the Government would not be detracted by such propaganda but endeavour to focus on its vision to ensure the "Better Ghana Agenda" was pursued to its logical conclusion. 15 Nov. 10