The long-awaited 2026 Hajj pilgrimage has officially begun for Ghanaian Muslims, as the first group of pilgrims departed from Tamale early Friday morning, with boarding activities starting around 4:00 a.m.
Tamale is serving as a key departure point for this year’s exercise, which will see more than 6,000 Ghanaian pilgrims transported to Madina in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to perform the annual Islamic pilgrimage.
Out of 19 scheduled flights, nine are expected to originate from Tamale, while the remaining flights will be operated from Accra as part of a coordinated national airlift plan.
The Communications Director of the Pilgrimage Affairs Office, Mohammed Amin Lamptey, told journalists on Friday, May 1, that the process has so far been smooth since its commencement.
He said a carefully structured flight timetable had been designed to ensure the orderly movement of all pilgrims within the set period.
“We have almost about 18 flights to do starting from today. We have developed a programme order that we are following for a successful uplifting,” he explained.
Mr. Lamptey expressed optimism that the 2026 Hajj operation would rank among the most organised in Ghana’s history, noting that past operational challenges had informed improved planning and coordination this year.
He added that all necessary logistical arrangements had been put in place to guarantee a safe and efficient journey for pilgrims as the airlift continues in the coming days.
