Accra,
Nov. 18,
Ghanadot/GNA
- For
the
first
time in
several
years,
this
year's
pilgrimage
to Mecca
would be
well
organized
devoid
of
difficulties
and
problems
that had
characterized
the
pilgrimage
in the
past.
In
addition
to
arrangements
to
ensure
flights
from
Accra to
Mecca
leave on
schedule,
measures
have
been
instituted
to
ensure
provision
of good
sanitary
conditions.
Briefing
journalists
in Accra
on
Monday,
Mr Yaw
Kwakwa,
Deputy
Managing
Director
of Ghana
Airports
Company
limited(GACL),
said to
ensure
smooth
operations,
pilgrims
would be
flown to
the Holy
city by
Egypt
Air, and
the
first
flight
was
expected
to take
off on
Wednesday,
November
19.
He said
seven
flights
would
convey
about
2,300
pilgrims
to Mecca
within
five
days of
the
first
flight,
and to
ensure
the
comfort
of
pilgrims,
the
airline
would
provide
two
meals on
each
flight.
Mr
Kwakwa
said for
the
first
time, a
manifest
had been
made
available
to
enable
pilgrims
report
at the
departure
hall on
well
informed
bases.
He said
the
pilgrims
would
first
congregate
at
Kawokudi
park in
Accra,
10 hours
before
departure,
from
where
they
would be
transported
to the
Hajj
Village
near
Aviance
at
Kotoka
International
Airport,
for
pre-departure
formalities
after
which
they
would
leave on
their
respective
flights.
Mr
Kwakwa
advised
relatives
of
pilgrims
not to
follow
them to
the
airport,
to avoid
congestion
at the
village,
since
they
would be
barred
from
entry.
He
advised
pilgrims
not to
send
prohibitive
items
along
because
they
would be
seized.
Alhaji
Usumanu
Kadri
English,
Interim
Hajj
Management
Committee
(IHMC)
Member
in-charge
of
Operations,
told
journalists
that
measures
instituted
to
ensure
problem
free
pilgrimage
were new
and
unique
in the
history
of
pilgrimage
in the
country.
He noted
that
pilgrims
would
not go
through
the
difficulties
they had
to
endure
in the
past.
In the
past
most
pilgrims
were
stranded
in Accra
because
of
failed
flights,
resulting
in loss
of money
property
and even
deaths
due to
harsh
conditions.
This new
arrangement
is being
implemented
by the
establishment
of the
Hajj
Operations
Committee
made up
of the
IHMC,
GACL,
Ghana
Civil
Aviation
Authority,
Ghana
Police
Service,
Ghana
Immigration
Service,
Ghana
Customs
Excise
and
Preventive
Service,
Egypt
Air,
Ghana
Air
Force
and
other
stakeholders.
GNA
